Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Jordan’s shot at history is not Just about him now
SELECTING a US PGA champion is the toughest of tasks.
It’s a tournament that tends to throw up surprises or first time winners.
The last three champions – Justin Thomas, Jimmy Walker and Jason Day – were all maiden major champions.
The US PGA is also the closest you’ll find to a regular tour event, yet history is always on the line, something the players are acutely aware of.
It can play tricks with the mind.
World No1 Dustin Johnson is a 9/1 favourite, but I’ll be eager to see how Rory Mcilroy (11s), Justin Thomas (12s) and Jordan Spieth (16s) perform.
Spieth is chasing a grand slam and the chance to join a select club of only five players who have won all four majors – Nicklaus, Woods, Hogan, Player and Sarazen.
The Texan’s form has faltered since winning last year’s Open and his recent final round collapse at Carnoustie was symptomatic of his year.
Are we seeing a lull? Yes, but that’s golf. Even Nicklaus went two years without a win.
Spieth has always said putting yourself in a position to win is the key. Few fancy him this week, but he possesses the quality to be in contention come Sunday.
Defending champion Thomas, who heads to Bellerive on the back of his win at the Bridgestone, is fast becoming a powerhouse of the game.
Brandel Chamblee, the voice of the Golf Channel, says the World No2’s swing reminds him of Tiger in 2000. High praise – but I agree. He has the X-factor and a steel in his eyes that all the great players possess.
To go to the US PGA as champion with a win at Firestone, where he ranked third in total driving and T2 in greens hit, is the ideal preparation.
What of Mcilroy?
Can the two-time PGA champion win his fifth major?
His runners-up spot at The Open offered hope, but his final round at Bridgestone leaves us with more questions than answers again.
He was in the final group with Thomas and it was a big chance to lay down a marker, but he didn’t respond to the challenge. I would love to see Rory get a little angrier on the course. He should demand more of himself. The days of learning curves and pocketing positives are over. He has to be more ruthless in winning positions.
The worry is his aura has waned. Patrick Reed stared him down at The Masters and Thomas did the same at Firestone.
It’s something he needs to address.
Mcilroy has the skill to win 10-plus majors, but his last was four years ago and that’s too long for a player of his standard. It’s time to prove he’s the boss again.
No better stage than the final major of the year.