Jordan Spieth goes for the career Grand Slam this week — here are 10 golfers who could play spoiler at the PGA Championship
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Jordan Spieth has a chance to complete golf's career Grand Slam at the PGA Championship this week. With his stirring victory at last month's Open Championship etched into everyone's memory, the spotlight couldn't be brighter.
But Spieth won't be the only player vying for the Wanamaker Trophy. Dozens of other talented golfers are also in the Tar Heel state, and they all have the same goal: getting a taste of major glory before the year is out.
The course, Quail Hollow, is getting its first shot at a major after years of hosting the PGA Tour's Wells Fargo Championship. While most PGA Tour regulars are familiar with the track, it did undergo some significant renovations in preparation for this week, including new bermudagrass, the removal of hundreds of trees and some new and redesigned holes.
Given those changes, as well as some dicey weather in the weekend forecast, anything can happen this week. Here are ten players who could spoil Spieth's shot at nabbing the career Grand Slam in 2017.
Rory McIlroy
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World ranking: No. 4
Best PGA Championship finish: Win, 2012, 2014
Recent results: WGC-Bridgestone - T5 / Open Championship - T4 / Scottish Open - MC
Why he can win: With back-to-back top-fives against world-class competition, McIlroy's form is tantalizing enough on its own. It doesn't hurt that he's owned Quail Hollow over the years, notching a pair of victories and four other top 10s in his career. Length off the tee is always a huge plus at this course, and if the rain falls, he'll be at an even bigger advantage.
Hideki Matsuyama
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World ranking: No. 3
Best PGA Championship finish: T4, 2016
Recent results: WGC-Bridgestone - Win / Open Championship - T14 / Irish Open - T14
Why he can win: Just when it looked like Spieth was the biggest threat to dethrone Dustin Johnson as the game's No. 1 player, Matsuyama went bananas at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, shooting a Sunday 61 to earn a decisive win. He ranks second on the PGA Tour in total strokes gained.
Dustin Johnson
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World ranking: No. 1
Best PGA Championship finish: T5, 2010
Recent results: WGC-Bridgestone - T17 / Canadian Open - T8 / Open Championship - T54
Why he can win: Johnson has faded from his superb springtime form, but he's still posting positive results more often than not. He also hits the ball longer than just about anyone, and this week's weather forecast should only amplify that strength. A win would be sweet redemption after his nightmare 72nd hole at the 2010 PGA took him out of a playoff and into a share of fifth place, his best finish at the event to date.
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