Jordan Spieth makes big move at PGA Championship with ‘best’ bunker shot
SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — Despite winning two major championships in 2015, Jordan Spieth’s most memorable shot continues to be his bunker hole-out from the 2013 John Deere Classic. It was that shot on No. 18 that got Spieth into a playoff that would eventually lead to his first win on the PGA Tour and full-time membership on the tour at age 20.
As Spieth’s caddie, Michael Greller had the best view of that career highlight.
But he was also right there on Friday afternoon when Spieth holed a big bunker blast on the 18th hole at Whistling Straits, en route to a 67 that vaulted him into strong contention for his third major of the season at 6-under for the PGA Championship.
Greller thinks that was an even better bunker shot than the one that shot Spieth to stardom.
“The John Deere was a great shot that became greater because of what happened afterward,” Greller said after the round. “This one had a higher difficulty because he had to come in so steep on that shot and had virtually nowhere to land it. It took a perfect bounce.”
Spieth agreed, saying he and Greller almost decided to play it to a safe spot 10 feet right of the hole instead of going for it.
“It almost had to be straight up and straight down,” Spieth said. “The chances of hitting that the right way are so slim that you could easily catch it thin and then you’re left with a very likely double bogey.”
Greller said that when Spieth describes something as impossible, “he usually just means it’s really tough.”
“He thinks everything is going in,” Greller said. “He doesn’t walk up to it thinking he’s going up and down.”
With his ball up against the lip of the sand trap, Spieth swung his club.
Greller watched — and also listened.
“You could just hear the most perfect sound from the shot,” he said.
The ball bounced twice before skidding and then turning right into the hole. At the time, It was only one of two birdies on No. 18 for the day. The hole also played tough on Thursday; ESPN Stats and Info reported the hole had twice as many double bogeys than birdies in the opening round.
While the highlight might fade into whatever Spieth does over the next two days, it played a big role into what transpired during the second round. The shot moved Spieth to 3-under before his grouping with Rory McIlroy and Zach Johnson made the turn to the front nine.
Spieth used the “pep in his step” to birdie the first, third and sixth holes to finish with a five-under 67. That was four shots better than his opening round, which was played under much tougher playing conditions on Thursday afternoon.
While Spieth took advantage of Friday’s scoring opportunities, his playing partners did not. McIlroy finished the day 1-under, while British Open champion Zach Johnson shot even par to stay at 3-over for the tournament. He was in position to miss the projected cut at 1-over as he walked off the course.
Spieth acknowledged that he was lucky to get a few bounces over the round — yes, even on that 18th — and said his ball striking would need to improve once the weekend rounds bring tougher tee placements and pin positions.
But the edited achievement of the “American Slam” — winning all three majors played on U.S. soil — is well within reach for the 22-year-old if he keeps showing off his prodigious talent.
Can he do it for two more rounds? Spieth was asked if both the conditions at Whistling Straits plus an already long season might wear him down as he aims to make history.
“I feel good,” Spieth said. “I got a chance to win a major championship. Just thinking about that gets you enough adrenaline to that there won’t be any issues.”
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Kevin Kaduk is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @KevinKaduk
