Double bogey torpedoes Spieth

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A few days after his 24th birthday, Jordan Spieth came to the PGA Championship attempting to become the youngest golfer to win the career Grand Slam.

By the start of Saturday’s third round at Quail Hollow Club, his expectations had been lowered.

“My goal was to try to work our way into a backdoor top 10,” Spieth said.

The idea persisted after he birdied 14, 15 and 16 to get to 2 under for the day and into position to have his first below-par round of the tournament. But he made a double bogey on 18.

“Kind of stinks because it sets me back there,” Spieth said. “Eighteen is just a ridiculously hard hole today.”

So Spieth, with scores of 72-73-71 on the par-71 course, was at 216, 3 over for 54 holes.

“To not have a chance to win, obviously you’ve fallen short of where you’d like to be,” said Spieth, who was 10 shots off the lead.

“I didn’t have it written in a diary when I was young (that) I needed to win a career Grand Slam. The goal is to try and win them all. I have a lot of opportunities. The PGA I think is going to be the toughest for me. I feel like my game truly suits the other three majors maybe more than the PGA Championship.” McIlroy still struggles: Rory McIlroy, winless in 2017, had his third straight over-par round, a 2-over 73. He’s at 217, 4 over for three rounds and tied for 47th place.

McIlroy twice won the Wells Fargo at Quail Hollow, but the course was made considerably more difficult for the PGA. “The way conditions have been the last three days, I haven’t seen a low score out there for me,” McIlroy said. “After playing practice rounds I felt there was a decent one out there. But I haven’t driven the ball well enough to give myself chances for birdies.”

McIlroy, 28, was paired with 49-year-old Omar Uresti, a former PGA Tour player who qualified by winning the PGA’s club pro championship. On one hole, McIlroy outdrove Uresti 322 yards to 264. Eagles fly: Quail Hollow was friendly to eagles during the third round. Graham DeLaet had consecutive eagles on 14 and 15, with birdies on 13 and 16, going 6 under in four holes. The 14th is a short par-4, and DeLaet’s tee shot landed 8 feet from the cup.

Playing in the same threesome, Marc Leishman and Billy Horschel each had 3s on the par-5 10th. Leishman chipped in from 85 feet off the back of the green, and then Horschel chipped in from 25 feet from the front.

Bryson DeChambeau made two eagles of his own, at 10 and 14. He also had two birdies but with a two double bogeys and three bogeys shot 1-over 72.