Spieth eyes grand slam tune-up at WGC

With a chance to complete golf's career grand slam next week, Jordan Spieth will test his mettle against the high-calibre field at the WGC event in Ohio.

American golfer Jordan Spieth

Jordan Spieth is leading the FedExCup points standings after three wins in 2017. (AAP)

Jordan Spieth believes this week's World Golf Championships event is a perfect dress rehearsal before attempting to complete golf's fabled career grand slam.

The American world No.2 bagged his third major title in thrilling fashion at last month's British Open, setting up a storybook shot at becoming the youngest player to claim all four of golf's big dances at next week's US PGA Championship.

Tiger Woods was aged 24 years, seven months when he claimed the career slam at the 2000 British Open at St Andrews, while Spieth celebrated his 24th birthday last week.

Only Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen have achieved the feat in golf's history.

Spieth is hoping to win his first World Golf Championships title at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio this week.

With the world's top-50 golfers and US PGA Tour winners among the high-calibre WGC fields, Texas native Spieth says they're an ideal tune-up.

"Absolutely right in between them," Spieth said when asked to classify WGCs among majors and Tour events.

Spieth claims the proximity of his British Open win at Royal Birkdale, where he joined Nicklaus as the only player to win three majors before turning 24, to his history-making opportunity at the PGA Championship plays to his advantage.

"Being so soon, the pros is you believe you're in form," he said.

"I think I'm in form and when you feel that way going in, it feels that much easier to get into contention.

"Getting three legs of it is much harder than getting the last leg, I would think.

"I believe that I'll (win the grand slam) some day, so if it happens next week, then fantastic.

"I've had three (majors) in two years.

"So, I mean, if I just continue with the same process, get the right breaks, then I've got a good shot at number four."


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world