Spieth seeks last Grand Slam title
PGA Championship only major missing
“This tournament will always be circled until I’m able to hopefully win it some day.”
Jordan Spieth on the PGA Championship
ST. LOUIS — Jordan Spieth has had the dates circled: Aug. 9-12, also known as Rounds 1-4 of the PGA Championship, the final piece to his career Grand Slam tournament puzzle.
“This tournament will always be circled until I’m able to hopefully win it some day,” Spieth said Tuesday at Bellerive, where he’ll begin his second attempt at the career slam Thursday. “It will always be circled to complete the career Grand Slam, which will ultimately achieve a life-long goal for me. So certainly emphasis in my head on it, but nothing overpowering, nothing that takes over once I start on the first tee, just more going into the week.”
Spieth, 25, is feeling more relaxed compared to last year’s PGA at Quail Hollow. A year ago, he was coming off a British Open victory and was in great form. Many, including Spieth, expected a strong attempt at the slam in Charlotte. (Spieth tied for 28th.)
“I think I was probably a little more anxious last year,” he said. “I think, going in, there was a big focus on it, given it was right after winning the Open Championship, so it was fresh, I was in form, and going to a place that, if I worked up the leaderboard, it would create a lot of noise.
“I feel somewhat under the radar this year. I’ve kind of felt that way a lot this year; I don’t mind it.”
This season Spieth has yet to win. He struggled with his putter and, despite two top-10 finishes in majors, hasn’t really put himself in position to contend on Sundays.
There’s also been a lot of cut-line golf, as Spieth calls it.
Despite the down year, Spieth can still make some noise this Sunday in St. Louis.
“In some sense I feel under the radar,” Spieth said, “but at the same time, after one round it changes.”