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Spieth ready for second bite of the cherry
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Spieth ready for second bite of the cherry

Jordan Spieth is hoping to come in under the radar when he makes a second attempt at securing the career grand slam at this week's US PGA Championship.

Jordan Spieth

The American won the Masters Tournament and US Open in 2015 and after his triumph at the 2017 Open Championship, he needed a victory at Quail Hollow last season to join the most exclusive club in golf.

He finished in a tie for 28th but has since secured two top tens in Major Championships and arrives at Bellerive Country Club in relaxed mood.

"I think I was probably a little more anxious last year," he said "I think going in there was a big focus on it, given it was right after winning the Open Championship.

"It was fresh, I was in form and going to a place that, if I worked up the leaderboard, it would create a lot of noise. I feel somewhat under the radar this year. I've kind of felt that way a lot this year, I don't mind it.

Dustin Johnson

"But at the same time, this tournament will always be circled until I'm able to hopefully win it some day. It will always be circled to complete the career grand slam which will ultimately achieve a life-long goal for me.

"So certainly emphasis in my head on it, but nothing overpowering, nothing that takes over once I start on the first tee, just more going into the week."

World Number One Dustin Johnson is seeking a second Major title this week and he is hoping his many near-misses will give him as much inspiration as his US Open triumph.

The American had 11 top tens in golf's big four before his victoory in 2016 and has had three more in eight attempts since.

"It would be a very, very great accomplishment," he said. "I think it's definitely something that I really want to do is get that second Major. This week it would mean a great deal, especially as I've had a really good year so far, I think it would make it into a great year.

"I feel like I look back and try to take what I did very well that week and try to look back at the good things I did and then obviously try to learn from what I did, that I didn't do so well and why I didn't win. And I just try to improve that so that the next time I'm in the situation, I can hopefully handle it better."

The man who replaced Johnson as US Open champion was Brooks Koepka and he successfully defended his title in June to make it two Major wins.

That victory was all the more remarkable after he missed four months of the season with a major wrist injury, and the American is thankful to be teeing it up this week at all.

"Winning two Majors in one year, I think that would be pretty special," he said. "With the way the year started and how it looked and to be in a position I am right now, it's been pretty incredible.

"Thinking that I might not ever play again, might not be able to even play the same way, to winning a Major and hopefully having a chance here to finish it off in the play-offs, one Major left and be on the Ryder Cup team, I'm pretty thankful."

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