The Masters champion goes into the PGA Championship full of confidence

Rory McIlroy enters this week’s PGA Championship at Quail Hollow as the clear favourite, bringing with him a formidable reputation at a course he knows intimately.

The Northern Irishman has claimed victory at the North Carolina venue four times throughout his career.

He also holds the course record of 61, a testament to his mastery of the layout.

McIlroy’s dominance at Quail Hollow is unmatched, with his most recent triumphs coming in 2021 and last year at what was then the Wells Fargo Championship.

Rory McIlroy has incredible form at Quail Hollow ahead of the PGA Championship

Reuters

Monday’s washout at Quail Hollow has handed McIlroy a significant advantage over his competitors.

With practice rounds cancelled due to rain, many players have lost valuable preparation time on the course.

This disruption matters little to McIlroy, who arguably knows the layout better than anyone in the field.

The wet conditions are also expected to play into the Northern Irishman’s hands, making the course play longer and softer.

McIlroy’s exceptional driving ability and powerful mid-irons should prove particularly effective in these circumstances.

McIlroy will be riding high after finally completing his career Grand Slam at Augusta last month.

In typical McIlroy fashion, the win didn’t come easily, requiring a play-off against Justin Rose following a dramatic final round.

If McIlroy triumphs at Quail Hollow, he’ll keep alive his dream of completing the Calendar Slam, an achievement that even legends like Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus couldn’t manage.

McIlroy’s current form suggests he’s primed for success at the PGA Championship.

Despite not winning the recent Truist Championship, he secured a respectable joint seventh finish.

“I think I’m in a good place,” McIlroy said after the event. “I didn’t feel like I played all that well this week, I still finished seventh.”

Rory McIlroy won The Masters last month and could follow it up with back-to-back major wins

He added: “A couple little improvements and little tweaks, especially going to a place I love like Quail Hollow, and I feel like I’m in a really good spot.”

The five-time major winner has already claimed three tournament victories in 2025.

Quail Hollow will present a sterner test for the PGA Championship than it does for regular tour events.

Chief championships officer Kerry Haigh is known for delivering challenging but fair examinations of the players’ skills.

The rough is expected to be half an inch longer than usual for the tournament.

A new ninth tee has been added, increasing the overall length of the course.

Rory McIlroy has won the PGA Championship twice – first in 2012 and again in 2014, as pictured

PA

Modifications have also been made to a dozen greens, with slopes softened to provide a wider range of challenging hole locations.

The layout features 61 bunkers and four water hazards to test the 156-man field.

McIlroy’s overall record at Quail Hollow since 2010 is nothing short of remarkable, standing at an incredible 102-under-par.

His familiarity with the course is unmatched among the field of competitors.

Last year, he demonstrated his dominance by winning the Wells Fargo Championship at this very venue, defeating defending PGA Championship holder Xander Schauffele by five shots.

With his course record of 61 still standing, McIlroy’s confidence at Quail Hollow gives him a psychological edge that few other players can claim.