1 win away from Slam, and creating a mystique
SOUTHPORT, England — Jordan Spieth was happy enough to see his name on the claret jug without wondering where he fit in among the rest of the British Open champions whose names are engraved on the oldest trophy in golf.
In that respect, nothing has changed.
Spieth wasn’t keen on comparisons when he became the youngest Masters champion since Tiger Woods, the youngest U.S. Open champion since Bobby Jones or the youngest to win two majors since Gene Sarazen. Now that Jack Nicklaus is part of the conversation, he shies away from them even more.
Spieth and Nicklaus are the only players to capture the third leg of the Grand Slam at age 23.
“I’ll be careful with my answer,” Spieth said Sunday when asked about his place among the greats. “It’s amazing. I feel blessed to be able to play the game I love, but I don’t think comparisons ... I don’t compare myself. And I don’t think that they’re appropriate or necessary. So to be in that company no doubt is absolutely incredible, and I certainly appreciate it.”
But if he were to win the PGA Championship next month, he would be only the sixth — and youngest — to have all four majors. The prospect is exciting, though recent history illustrates why success can be so fleeting in golf.
Rory McIlroy looked unstoppable when he won the British Open and PGA Championship at the end of 2014, and then headed to Augusta National for a shot at the Grand Slam. Spieth won the Masters in a runaway, and McIlroy hasn’t won a major since.
Phil Mickelson won the British Open in 2013 and was a U.S. Open away from a career Grand Slam — the major where he was runner-up six times. In three chances since, Mickelson has finished 15 and 18 shots out of the lead and missed the cut last year.
Even though Spieth already has 11 victories on the PGA Tour, including his three majors, he does not bring intimidation to the first tee. But his back nine charge Sunday at Royal Birkdale might have been a big step in creating a mystique.
“These are the intangibles, the things I just don’t understand,” said Zach Johnson, who has won two majors. “I’m not suggesting I can’t do it. He just does it all the time.”
Ernie Els, who has won both the U.S. Open and British Open twice, raised the prospect of Spieth reaching the 14 majors won by Woods.
“When you get on a roll like that, guys kind of starting knowing that you know how to win,” Els said. “And almost like Tiger, where people can maybe feel like they can’t do it against Jordan. Because he’s been up there a few times now.”
And as he showed Sunday at Royal Birkdale, Spieth has a sense of the occasion. Next up is how that translates at the PGA Championship.