Rory McIlroy, who has finally won the Masters, goes into the PGA Championship as the unburdened favorite. The second major of the golf season takes place in North Carolina from Thursday.
15.05.2025, 04:01
SDA
A month ago, Rory McIlroy ended his long quest for a career Grand Slam by winning the prestigious Masters. He had waited eleven years after winning his last major trophy and had to deal with repeated disappointments, but the play-off at the end of a breathtaking Sunday made up for all those disappointments.
The world No. 2 has a good chance of going for his third PGA Championship title (after 2012 and 2014), having already won four tournaments on the North American Tour at the Quail Hollow Course in Charlotte, North Carolina. McIlroy won't be bothered by all the rain that has been pelting down on the greens since the start of the week. He is known to enjoy playing on wet surfaces, for example when he won his first major title at the US Open in 2011.
Back to routine for McIlroy
McIlroy recently made it clear once again just how much pressure was on him. "I'm glad it's all over now. I never want to experience that Sunday afternoon with so much pressure again," said the 36-year-old Northern Irishman when talking about his latest Masters victory.
More than good shots, McIlroy hopes he can regain that feeling of "confidence, commitment, acceptance and joy, all mixed together". The crowd favorite was able to recuperate with his family in Northern Ireland after his victory in Augusta. "It was incredible to come home. I didn't want a parade, I just wanted to see my parents and relatives." After that, he said, he returned to his routine. "But I don't think I could be happier professionally or personally," he concluded.
Fun with Scheffler
On Thursday, McIlroy begins his first round (in the afternoon Swiss time) in illustrious company, with world number one Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Xander Schauffele. Schauffele, who also won the British Open title in 2024, has only just recovered from a rib injury.
Scheffler seems to have returned to his best form after injuring his hand over the Christmas holidays. His first success in 2025 two weeks ago in Texas is evidence of this. "I'll be playing with two of the guys who play the best golf in the world. That should be fun," commented Scheffler.
