Jordan Spieth battles injury as he seeks career Grand Slam

In May 2025, Jordan Spieth arrived at Quail Hollow for the PGA Championship, marking a return to a venue where he faced challenges in 2017. The 31-year-old golfer has more expectations than pressure as he pursues the elusive career Grand Slam, hoping to join the ranks of golfing legends. Despite setbacks due to a wrist injury that he sustained around late 2017 and early 2018, Spieth is determined to make a comeback. The injury required surgery six months prior, and Spieth reflects on how different his career might have been had he addressed the issue sooner. Spieth’s journey has been both commendable and tumultuous; ten years ago, he captured the Masters and U.S. Open titles. As he approached the British Open a decade ago, he was in contention but faltered on the 17th hole, missing a crucial putt which cost him a shot at the Grand Slam. Only Jack Nicklaus had come closer to a Grand Slam at that time, making Spieth’s aspirations even more palpable. The golfer is now faced with examining how his past might affect his future success on the tour, especially after watching Rory McIlroy recently complete his Grand Slam. Spieth’s approach to this year's Championship is underscored by his experience at the 2019 PGA Championship, where he finished in the final group on Saturday but struggled to regain his earlier form. He recalls battling through uncertainties and the frustration associated with not being able to produce quality drives, emphasizing how the pressure had mounted during each competition he had aimed to use for Grand Slam opportunities. While Spieth admires McIlroy's achievements, he acknowledges the difficulty in replicating such a significant milestone given his own challenges. As the golfer heads into the tournament at Quail Hollow, Spieth aims to focus on doing what he can in the present while reconciling his past experiences. With a fresh start and a decade-long outlook on his career goals, he is determined to push forward despite lingering feelings of loss due to the years lost to injury. As he tries to reclaim his place among the elite in golf, all eyes will be on whether the recovery period has set the stage for a handsome comeback or if the specter of missed opportunities will continue to shadow his aspirations.