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 World number one McIlroy and second-ranked Spieth have between them
won four of the last five majors played and, aged just 26 and 22
respectively, they are likely to dominate the game at the highest
level for some time to come.
Much of the focus at Whistling Straits will be on the remarkable
Spieth, who will be seeking to join fellow Americans Ben Hogan and
Tiger Woods as the only players in the modern era to have won three
majors in a single year.
Hogan was the first to complete the hat-trick, in 1953, and Woods
followed suit in 2000.
Having claimed the Masters in April and the U.S. Open in June,
Spieth fell agonizingly short in his bid to land the first three
majors of the season as he tied for fourth in last month's British
Open at St. Andrews one shot short of joining a playoff.
"I recognize there's only been a couple times that people have won
three majors in a year, and that would be just such special
company," Spieth said while preparing for Thursday's opening round
at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin.
"But just like at the (British) Open Championship, when I get there,
it's just going to be about that tournament, and that's all that
will be on my mind ... not thinking about three in a row (or) grand
slam.
"It will take a little bit off my shoulders, and it will be very
easy for me to just focus on it as a tournament."
Four-times major champion McIlroy will also draw intense scrutiny at
Whistling Straits as he returns to competitive golf after an absence
of more than seven weeks.
The Northern Irishman, who tied for ninth in the U.S. Open at
Chambers Bay in his most recent start, has been out of action since
he ruptured a ligament in his left ankle while playing soccer with
friends on July 4.
MCILROY WELCOMED
However, McIlroy has been diligent with his recovery and his arrival
at Whistling Straits on Saturday to play 18 holes of practice at the
PGA Championship venue, following by another 18 on Sunday, was
warmly welcomed by his peers.
"It's huge," said English world number six Justin Rose. "Any time a
tournament misses its defending champion, it's a shame.
"He had such an amazing spell this time last year," Rose added,
referring to McIlroy's wins in the last two majors of 2014 - the
British Open and PGA Championship.
"I think it's fantastic for golf that he's back, back playing.
Obviously, he's in a great pairing next week, him and Jordan and
Zach (Johnson)."
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Traditionally, the winners of the season's first three majors have
always been drawn together and McIlroy, Spieth and British Open
champion Johnson are set to start on the first tee at 2:20 p.m. ET
(1820 GMT) in Thursday's opening round.
The PGA Championship has often been the most unpredictable of the
four majors, in part because it attracts the strongest field, and
this week is no different with 97 of the world's top 100 players
entered.
Among other early favorites are third-ranked American Bubba Watson,
who was beaten by Germany's Martin Kaymer in a playoff for the 2010
PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, fifth-ranked Australian Jason
Day and American Rickie Fowler (seventh).
The ability to hit greens in regulation will be a major factor on a
par-72 layout measuring 7,514 yards, marking Americans Jim Furyk and
Johnson, Swede Henrik Stenson and Australia's Adam Scott among those
to watch.
Host venue for the PGA Championship in 2004 and 2010, Whistling
Straits is modeled on an Irish seaside links and will once again
provide a stiff test with its soaring sand dunes, fast-running
fescue fairways and deep pot bunkers.
Eight of the holes hug the Lake Michigan shoreline and the heavily
bunkered layout, which includes three par-four holes in excess of
500 yards, is among the longest in major championship history.
"It's a ball striker's golf course," said Spieth. "Tee to green, you
just have to be very special. Greens in regulation might be the most
important stat next week.
"Around the greens, they're not too tricky to putt. They're subtle.
There's not crazy ridges.
"It's a phenomenal golf course."
(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Akron, Ohio; Editing by Larry
Fine)
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