Ex-world No.1 Duval says Jordan’s mediocre game has derailed his attempt to join Grand Slam legends
David Duval reckons Jordan Spieth’s career Grand Slam bid has been marred by “mediocrity” at Quail Hollow.
The 24-year- old American arrived at the US PGA Championship seeking to replace Tiger Woods as the youngest winner of all four Majors.
Spieth won The Open last month with a devastating display of putting but failed to drain one from more than six feet in Thursday’s first round then carded a single birdie in his second.
The world No. 2 also ran into trouble off the tee, needing to drop in pine straw on Friday after a slice at the par-five 10th.
Spieth, who carded a 71 yesterday for three- over 216, acknowledged back-toback Major wins wasn’t going to happen “pending some form of crazy stuff” after being 11 of the lead after 36 holes.
And former world No.1 Duval believes his countryman’s game simply hasn’t been good enough to tame the North Carolina course. The 2001 Open champion said: “This course will expose you.
“You have to hit the ball well in these big events and frankly he hasn’t done that.
“If you miss the greens – especially with the speed and pitch of them – it is very difficult to get up and down.
“The inconsistency coming out of the Bermuda rough flusters any professional. You have to have your good stuff here.
“You can’t have mediocrity andr that is what he has had.”
History dictates Spieth has two more attempts to complete the Grand Slam with none of the five to do so – Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Woods – needing more than three.
Arnold Palmer had 34 cracks at winning the US PGA after winning the other three while Tom Watson tried 24 times under the same pressure. Spieth started yesterday 11 shots off the pace although fellow pro Rod Pampling hit the worst and most hurried tee shot ever to avoid having to join him.
The Australian knew he was missing the cut on 12 over but a rain delay meant players were rushing to finish their second rounds to prevent a 7.30am return.
When the horn blew on Friday due to darkness falling players could finish the hole they were playing as long as one player in the group had teed off.
That saw the world No.195 rush on to his final hole and hook his drive only 13 feet off the ground into the trees on his way to a double bogey – and a lie-in.
He said: “It was the best thing I did all day. It was a case where we had nothing to lose so I was just getting it off as quick as we could so we could get finished.
“It didn’t matter – even if I just tipped it off I was doing it.”