Jordan Spieth confident as he eyes US PGA chance for career grand slam

Salvation for golf’s purists, irked by the Saudi Arabian themes dominating their sport, may arrive in the form of a 28-year-old from Dallas. Should Jordan Spieth lift the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday evening, a career grand slam complete, there will be an appealing narrative to at least momentarily offset incessant chatter about breakaway tours, human rights and golf’s persona non grata, Phil The Shill.

Spieth arrived at Southern Hills in the kind of form that suggests this is his finest chance yet to add the US PGA Championship to the Masters, US Open and Open. He would become only the sixth man in history to win each of golf’s big four. It is to Spieth’s credit that he fully embraces another tilt at history-making.

“Certainly at this point, having won the other three, it’s an elephant in the room for me,” Spieth said. “It’s a goal of mine. If you just told me I was going to win one tournament the rest of my life, I’d say I want to win this one, given where things are at. If you told me that before my career started I was going to win one tournament ever, I’d say the Masters because that was my favourite tournament growing up.

“Things change, and this obviously has significant meaning. Long term, it would be really cool to say that you captured the four biggest golf tournaments in the world that are played in different parts of the world and different styles, too. So you feel like you kind of accomplished golf when you win a career grand slam.

“I have come close a couple times. This hasn’t necessarily been my most successful major but I feel good heading into this week.”

Spieth has won the RBC Heritage and finished second at the Byron Nelson since a surprise missed cut at the Masters. Augusta National proved a