'Texas Boy' Spieth "Career Slam GO~"... What About 'AT&T Champ' Lee Kyeonghun?

Challenging New History at the 103rd PGA Championship: Morikawa's Title Defense, Matsuyama's Major Back-to-Back Victory March, and Top 3 Including Johnson All Assembled

Jordan Spieth is challenging for the 'Career Grand Slam' at the 103rd PGA Championship.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] 'Texas Boy' Jordan Spieth is challenging to become the sixth 'Career Grand Slammer' in global golf history.

The 103rd PGA Championship, which kicks off on the night of the 20th (Korean time) at Kiawah Island Ocean Course (Par 72, 7,876 yards) in South Carolina, USA, is the final puzzle to sweep all four different majors. Colin Morikawa (both from the USA) is defending his title, and 'Masters Champion' Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) is dreaming of back-to-back major wins. Top-ranked players including World No. 1 Dustin Johnson, No. 2 Justin Thomas (both USA), and No. 3 Jon Rahm (Spain) have all gathered.

▲ Spieth: "Career Grand Slam GO" = In April 2015, Spieth won the Masters and in June the US Open for 'back-to-back wins,' but he finished tied for 4th by one stroke at the Open Championship in July, missing out on the historic feat of winning the first three majors of the season for the first time in 62 years since Ben Hogan (USA) in 1953, which is rather regrettable. He secured his third major with a win at the 2017 Open Championship. At the PGA Championship, he missed his chance four times, finishing tied for 28th in 2017, tied for 12th in 2018, tied for 3rd in 2019, and tied for 71st last year.

Only five players?Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan (both USA), Gary Player (South Africa), Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods (both USA)?are 'Career Grand Slammers.' Woods notably set the record of 'four consecutive major wins' from the 2000 US Open through the PGA Championship, Open Championship, and the following year's Masters. Currently, Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) lacks the Masters trophy, Phil Mickelson (USA) the US Open, and Spieth the PGA Championship, causing them frustration.

Experts are focusing on Spieth's 'resurgence mode' after winning the Valero Texas Open in his hometown Texas last month. Achieving his 12th career win after 3 years and 9 months since the 2017 Open Championship, he appears to have fully revived. Above all, his main weapon, 'stingy putting,' has returned, boosting his confidence. He accelerated with a tie for 3rd at the Masters and warmed up with a tie for 9th at the AT&T Byron Nelson that ended on the 17th.

World No. 2 Justin Thomas is aiming for his second win of the season at the 103rd PGA Championship.

▲ Johnson, Thomas, Rahm: "Battle of the Top 3" = Johnson's physical condition is a variable. He withdrew from the AT&T Byron Nelson due to knee pain and is focusing on rehabilitation. Although he won three times in the 2020 season and claimed the 'Fall Masters' in November, he has been lackluster with only one 'Top 10' finish in his last eight events. Thomas is threatening the No. 1 spot, bolstered by his March victory at 'The Players Championship,' known as the 'fifth major.' Rahm's consistency stands out with nine 'Top 10' finishes in 15 events during the 2021 season.

Morikawa recalls the thrilling memory of winning his first major in August last year, delayed three months due to COVID-19. He quickly rose to world star status by winning the World Golf Championships (WGC) Workday Championship in February. Matsuyama has joined the title race. Last month, he made news as the first Asian national to win the Masters, and this time he has a great chance to claim consecutive major trophies.

Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) is a dark horse. On the 10th, he secured his third win at the 'home turf' Wells Fargo Championship, marking his 19th career victory. 'Phoenix Open Champion' Brooks Koepka (USA) is aiming to reclaim the top spot after his back-to-back wins in 2018-2019, two years later. South Korea is led by Lee Kyoung-hoon (30, CJ Logistics), the 'AT&T Byron Nelson Champion,' accompanied by Im Sung-jae (23), An Byeong-hun (30), and Kim Si-woo (26, all CJ Logistics).

'AT&T Champ' Lee Kyoung-hoon is set to compete in the 103rd PGA Championship.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.