Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth Need One Major for Career Grand Slams. We Asked Them Who Has the Easier Path.

McIlroy needs a Masters win while Spieth needs a PGA Championship.

Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

SAN ANTONIO – Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy share a unique, if not slightly annoying trait at this week’s Valero Texas Open. Both are one major championship win away from the career Grand Slam–Spieth needs a PGA Championship, McIlroy a Masters–and both have thoughts on which is the better path to the milestone earned by only five other golfers in history. 

“I think from a purely preparation standpoint, he (Spieth) probably has the tougher road because the PGA site changes every year,” McIlroy said. “But for mine, you’re coming off seven months without a major championship tournament, so it builds on its own. I would say there are pros and cons to both.”

Two-time major winner Collin Morikawa was an interested party to this debate Wednesday at the TPC San Antonio Oaks Course. The Californian has a PGA Championship and British Open to his credit and said he doesn’t envy the task awaiting McIlroy next week at Augusta National Golf Club.

“Rory knows what he is going to face when he gets to Augusta. It’s all right there in front of you, but there are pros and cons to that,” Morikawa said. “You know you want to hit it close and finally win, but you try not to think about it. I’m sure Jordan and Rory have enough talent to win (the Grand Slam) eventually.”

Spieth, who will have his chance next month at the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky., said he wished he was in McIlroy’s shoes.

Rory McIlroy (left) and Jordan Spieth each need one major to join one of golf's most exclusive lists. / Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

“I wish Augusta was the course I need to complete the Slam with all the success I’ve had there, mine changes from year to year,” Spieth said. “Sometimes I think it sets up really good for me, sometimes not at all.”  

McIlroy has come close at the Masters, with four top-5 finishes including a second in 2022. But he hasn’t won a major championship of any kind since the 2014 PGA Championship, now a decade-long streak.

His preparation this year included a four-hour lesson with Butch Harmon in Las Vegas the week after the Players Championship and a two-day trip to the TaylorMade fitting center in Southern California for new irons, where he found a 4-iron that was put in play for the first time in Wednesday’s pro-am.

“When I go to Augusta, I just try to focus on the good memories and forget about the good ones,” McIlroy said. “Ben Crenshaw gave me some good advice once, just said to stay on the high line. 

“If somebody says go shoot even par for four days there, you think you could do that, but if somebody says go shoot 67, you could easily shoot 75, because you start firing at pins. Good golf at Augusta feels like boring golf.”

Spieth feels like McIlroy has winning golf in him at Augusta National.

“I always thought Augusta set up well for Rory with his ball flight and the shot shape,” Spieth said. “I think Augusta is a very athletic golf course where you see shots and shapes you don’t see the rest of the year. I’ve always been able to see the shapes of the greens. I see a lot of guys putting below the hole there, but that’s not my problem.”

Sports psychologist Jon Stabler, who does not work with McIlroy but has had him take his company’s golf personality test, said the best thing for him next week at Augusta could perhaps be a slight cold or minor nagging injury.

“Sometimes you can distract yourselves and just focus on what’s in front of you day-by-day or shot-by-shot,” he said. “But you can’t fool yourself into doing that, it has to come naturally. It’s so hard to finish it out when it’s so important to you. You (media) are always asking him about it and we’re in the background saying just give a stock answer and move on, focusing on your mental game for that week. Golf is the hardest game there is mentally. I will argue that with anybody.”

Spieth said no other player, McIlroy included, has asked for his advice on success at Augusta National despite a resume with one win and five other top-4 finishes, but remains hopeful they both end their Grand Slam quests sooner than later.

“(Rory) doesn’t need my help,” Spieth said. “He will be fine.”