‘Extraordinary moment in history’ awaits Jordan Spieth if he can follow in Rory McIlroy’s footsteps

Jordan Spieth has another chance to join the pantheon of golf’s Grand Slam greats at the 2026 PGA Championship this week.

It’s now been eight major-less years for Spieth since he won The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in 2017.

Getty

After three major titles in three seasons, it had looked as if Spieth would dominate the biggest events in golf for years and ease his way to the Grand Slam.

But instead he’s been stuck on three and the PGA Championship crown, arguably the least prestigious of the set, has eluded him.

Spieth won the Masters and US Open in his supreme 2015 run.

That summer also saw him claim his best finish at the PGA Championship, coming second to Jason Day at Whistling Straits.

Spieth’s form has hit the buffers in recent years.

He had nine top four or better finishes in his first 28 majors but has had just three in the 24 since, with no victories.

But he arrives at Aronimink Golf Club for the 2026 PGA Championship in far more promising nick.

He has only missed one cut all year, finished 12th at the Masters last month and has looked close to his best on several occasions.

He had four top tens last year and it would appear that a long-overdue win is not far away.

It would take an almighty effort from Spieth to end his barren run at Aronimink but the prospect of becoming an all-time legend will no doubt be spurring him on in Pennsylvania.

Getty

The most recent Grand Slam champion was, of course, Rory McIlroy as he ended his own long wait by winning the Masters and joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods in claiming all of the men’s majors.

Augusta was a fitting place for McIlroy to get the job done and now Aronimink could showcase the next ascension to golf’s most prestigious club.

Jeff Kiddie, head pro at the historic Philadelphia track, would love Aronimink to forever be associated with the Grand Slam conversation.

“It would be an extraordinary moment in Aronimink’s history,” he told talkSPORT.com.

“Any time a player has a chance to complete the career Grand Slam, it brings a different level of attention and meaning.

“If that happened here, Aronimink would be tied forever to one of the great achievements in modern golf.

“Every member has players they enjoy watching, but as a club, we want a worthy champion.

“The ideal Sunday is a packed leaderboard, a golf course asking the right questions and a winner who has to produce something special coming down the stretch.

“We’re not rooting for one player. We’re rooting for a great Championship.”

Getty

Should Spieth not claim glory at Aronimink, the Grand Slam focus will shift to Scottie Scheffler next month.

The two-time Masters champion won the PGA Championship and The Open last summer and now needs the US Open title to complete the quartet.

Scheffler has a brilliant record in the event, finishing T7 last year and going close in 2022 and 2023.

The 126th edition of the US Open will be held at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club and starts on June 18.

Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka and Collin Morikawa are halfway to the Grand Slam and could have chances to add to their major tallies in the years to come.

McIlroy will also hope to become a double Grand Slam champion having already won the PGA Championship and Masters twice.