There was Sam Snead vs. Ben Hogan

Then Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus went at in the 1960s and '70s

Even Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson had their share of great moments against one another in the 21st century.

Now, as golf enters a new era, Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth represent a new upcoming rivalry. McIlroy is the No. 1 ranked golfer in the world golf rankings with Spieth in second. This is exactly what golf needed in a time when Tiger Woods is nearing retirement, and his veteran colleagues are past their prime.

Spieth has won the first two majors of this year, the Masters and the United States Open. If Spieth can successfully win the British Open and the PGA Championship he would become the first golfer ever to win the grand slam in the Masters era. No golfer has ever won all four majors in the same year, not even the great Jack Nicklaus in his heyday.

Spieth won the Masters in unbelievable fashion. He shot a course record 18-under-par at Augusta. McIlroy shot an impressive 12-under-par, but nothing was going to deny Spieth at the tournament. Spieth's last major victory came at the US Open when he won it all on the final hole.

As for McIlroy, he has been the best golfer in the world over the last four years. McIlroy has won every major except the Masters including two victories at the PGA Championship. McIlroy's biggest issue is consistency. Although he has won four majors since 2011, he has placed outside the top 40 at a major six times including missing the cuts at the 2012 U.S. Open and 2013 British Open. It's all or nothing with McIlroy.

The last four majors have been won by either Spieth or McIlroy. The last golfer to win a major other than these two was Justin Rose at the 2013 US Open. Let's not kid ourselves, these two are the future of golf. What makes this so great for golf fans is the fact that both McIlroy and Spieth are younger than 27 years of age. These two will be going at it for quite some time.

Another contributing factor that adds more pep to this rivalry is origin. Golf has and always will be a very global game. The United States has long had its rivalry with England, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland. A July British Open couldn't set up better with McIlroy and Spieth as the two best golfers in the world. As McIlroy looks to prove he is still the best, Spieth is trying win his third consecutive major of the year, this time in Scotland.

The 2015 British Open will be played at St. Andrews Golf Course in Scotland beginning Thursday, July 16. This will be one of the most anticipated majors in recent memory.

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