Rory McIlroy has issued a stark warning to his PGA Championship rivals by claiming that the Quail Hollow course feels no different to when he has dominated it in the past. The Masters champion has four previous victories at the club.
Rain has pelted down in North Carolina this week, impacting practice sessions ahead of the second major of the year. Some weather reports suggest that the adverse weather could continue during the opening round tomorrow. However, McIlroy has not noticed a difference and many onlookers believe the course suits his driving game. The Northern Irishman’s rivals will be quaking in their boots at hearing he feels comfortable heading into the first round.
“I thought it was going to feel different just because it was a major championship, and I got out on the course yesterday, and it felt no different than last year at the Wells Fargo,” McIlroy said. “The rough is maybe a little juicier.”
McIlroy’s most recent victory at Quail Hollow was last year’s Truist Championship. He has previously spoken about how the trees lining the course help him plot his shots.
After ending a decade-long wait to become a five-time major champion by claiming his maiden Masters triumph, McIlroy insists he will not slow down. He has historically claimed that he wants to be the best European golfer in history.
Victory at Quail Hollow would take him to six majors, level with Nick Faldo’s record for a European player. At 36, there is the prospect of many more honours to follow after the pressure was relieved at Augusta last month.
“I think everyone saw how hard having a north star is and being able to get over the line,” McIlroy said. “If I can just try to get the best out of myself each and every week, I know what my abilities are. I know the golf that I can play. If I keep turning up and just trying to do that each and every week, especially in these four big ones a year, I know that I’ll have my chances.
“I’ve always said I’m never going to put a number on it. I’ve talked about trying to become the best European ever or the best international player ever or whatever that is. The numbers tell one story, but it mightn’t be the full story.
“I feel like I sort of burdened myself with the career grand slam stuff and I want to enjoy this. I want to enjoy what I’ve achieved and I want to enjoy the last decade or whatever of my career. I don’t want to burden myself by numbers or statistics. I just want to go and try to play the best golf I can.”