Chasing the Grand Slam - McIlroy vs Spieth

Hi Guys

Would you rather be Rory or Jordan chasing the Grand Slam?

Rory has the advantage of playing the same course over and over again for the next 15/20 years where Jordan will be playing a different course over the next 15/20 years and may find a course which suits his game perfectly and everything clicks for the week.

What's everyone's thoughts?

I appreciate Rory is no1 in the world and Jordan is no56 at present so am expecting a landslide win in Rory's favour!

Cheers

Benji

Rory he still has game and is capable of winning it. Jordan is no where close to winning.

Agreed. Rory is much more talented and playing as well as he ever has. Jordan caught lightning in a bottle and had a nice run there, but he’s toast now. No he’s not going to drop off completely - he’s too much of a competitor for that - but I don’t think he’ll have a sustained period in the top 10 again. That said, he could get hot and get his slam first, but if you’re asking who’s shoes would I rather be in? Rory and it’s not even close.

Rory is obviously favourite as he's still right at the top of the rankings - but somehow I am far from convinced that he will ever win a Masters. He puts a huge amount of psychological pressure on himself, is usually the favourite or near-favourite, and his putting is too hot and cold (often freezing cold on Sundays). When he's been in reach in the past few years and in the final groups, he's done absolutely nothing and made no runs at all (e.g. against Reed in 2018). I'd be happy to be proved wrong, but there's a reason he hasn't won a major since 2014.

Many, many others who would have been expected to win at Augusta at some stage in their careers never did so or haven't yet, from Weiskopf and Miller through to Kite and Norman and then on to Els and Rose.

Spieth, on the other hand, while struggling just now, is the kind of player who might just rediscover his touch one week and have one of his short game blitzes when he cans everything, and contends from under the radar at a PGA. His driving was never a huge asset but a set-up which suits him might bring something out. Unlikely but not impossible.

So, maybe it's a closer chase than it looks - or alternatively, the end result in Completed Grand Slams might well be 0-0.

Couple years ago I'd of said speith but he's so lost right now. Rory was kinda lost for a while, so there may be hope for MAJS.

Rory, for sure. The Masters has a very small field that is also pretty weak. I know it is top-heavy, but there are a lot of players with absolutely no shot. With the exception of the club pros, the PGA has a much deeper, more talented field.

Adam Scott was a pretty bad putter but he was able to pull it out at Augusta. It just takes a good week and experience matters quite a bit there.

So I think Rory could definitely get it done with his ball-striking prowess. The question is probably whether Rory could put it all together inside 100-yards for one complete week, not just putting but wedges as well.

I'd say Jordy.... maybe I'm just pullng for him more lol.

Jordy is obviously miles from his normal game. He just has to fix a couple mental things and he'll easily be back to normal. He got spooked and can't shake it yet, key word is yet. He's still immature and has been coddled by the golf world most of his life so his coping skills arent there but he will pull out of it. Reminds me of myself when I was 21 and started having heart issues and I couldnt play any sports or exert myself for years and took a while to pull out of the idea I was gonna kick the bucket any minute from simple exertion. But when he does pull out of it he's gonna be so appreciative of it that he'll be a force and top 5 player again. I would love to coach his mental game cause no one else is...

At this time Rory would have to get my vote. Jordan seems to be in disarray every time I see him playing. His confidence seems to be shook and you can tell. He is such a feel player and if he doesn't have that same confidence, he will need to regain it to have a chance. Rory on the other hand seems to be one or two tourneys from catching fire.

Rory. Definitely Rory.

Spieth was closer to it in a single 'Summer of George' year, than he'll get to it the rest of his career.

Now he has to do the opposite!

Oh wow, you are playing Seinfeld chess to my Seinfeld checkers!

He might win two in the next 12 months ... Rors all the way

LOL, those are two of my favorite episodes!

I want to say neither, but also want to say Jordan because the meltdown on WRX will be EPIC

My money is on Jordan. Fully acknowledge Speith’s current struggles, but I think Augusta is,Kry-tonite for Rory....

That week he spent out of the top ten must have been he11 on earth.

Augusta fits Rory’s tee to green game way too well not to get a win there. JS, at his best, is going to need the week of his life to win at a PGA Championship layout.

Rory has stuck to the same putter for over a year now and he’s putting pretty good. I think he gets his green jacket in November or next April.

Spieth I fear is closer to dropping out of golf altogether than finishing the slam

i’d love to see him shake it all off and get back to where he was before but man he seems lost

Rory could show up any week of the year and destroy any golf course and field.

He always seems to get in his own way but if he gets rolling at Augusta, he can set a record there.

Rory is built to win at Augusta or a US Open Venue. Natural Ball Flight is a High Draw. Add in get-able par 5s and the only perennial major venue and its Rory all the way.

a high draw might work well off the tee at ANGC but the most winners are those who could cut the ball with a high ball flight and hold the greens at most US Open and ANGC

Despite his putting, I think Rory strikes it well enough to give him some more good looks at a Master win. I do think though, that his putting needs to get better when it matters.

As for Spieth, I think he's lost his path in a big way, and I think he's done as a consistent winner on tour....or maybe even a winner, period.

At the moment it's this simple. Rory's record of late, while its doesn't include major wins, is exceptional and there surely must be a major win on the horizon. Added to that his game is suited for Augusta.

Jordan winning a PGA Tour event would be like a major win as he's that far off at the moment. I do believe Jordan can return though.

I'm convinced Rory will achieve the career slam but I believe he might need to win another major before he wins at ANGC.

Hope so on Jordan but golf is a sport that people can drop off the radar for no particular reason. Wouldn't you have said the same about David Duval in the early 2000's? Dimarco while never to the heights of Jordan was contended in number of majors in the mid 2000's and was national team good. I believe you can't win 3 majors by your mid 20's without unique talent but even though he cashed in more majors I'd argue Duval was more talented; he was #1 in the Tiger era.

As for the original question obviously Rory is far more likely but if the intent of the question was would you rather chase the final major at one venue or rotating venues it's a tough call. Rory plays Augusta reasonably well but you also develop scar tissue from going to the same venue. I'd probably prefer chasing the PGA figuring you eventually find a venue that you love and don't have any negative memories.

IF the Masters is indeed played in November, Jack thinks that Rory has a really good chance because he has a history of playing well in the late summer - fall.

I think this year might be Rory’s best shot. I don’t know the area well enough but am guessing ground might be softer which would suit him?

It's an interesting contrast. Rory is maybe the best driver in the game but iffy with the putter and wedges. When he was playing great, Spieth was an ok driver but masterful putter and chipper and terrific short-iron player. Rory has the firepower and Jordan the touch.

I would like to see either win another major before their Grand Slam major. The career Grand Slam winners in the past are among the greatest 10 players in golf history. I would hate to see Jordan play mediocre golf and get one hot week and pull off a PGA win but not continue the greatness. It would cheapen the Grand Slam. Rory has won the major-level Players recently and been playing great, but hasn't won an official major in 5 years. I would like to see him win an Open to get back to major greatness and then win the Masters.

At his peak Jordan was a bit better than OK off the tee minus the obvious power difference. 15th in SG off the tee in 2015 and even in '16 and '17 he was 29th then 44th. 2018 wasn't even that bad but '19 was awful and '20 was heading that way too.

Good point. He was good off the tee but not close to the top drivers on Tour. And Rory isn't terrible at putting or wedge play either, but he isn't at the level of the best at those areas.