US PGA Championship: Four players who can halt Rory McIlroy’s quest for Calendar Slam
Rory McIlroy ended his major drought at the Masters last month (Picture: Getty) Just like London buses, Rory McIlroy will hope that after waiting almost 11 years to win his fifth major, another one may be right around the corner at this week’s US PGA Championship. After years of close calls and heartbreak, McIlroy finally lifted his major hoodoo with a dramatic playoff victory at the Masters last month to become only the sixth golfer in history to complete the career Grand Slam. The manner of such a victory was quick to reduce the World No.2 to tears, but the aftershocks may still ripple throughout the rest of his season. For the first time in his career, McIlroy now has the opportunity to try and become the first player to complete the calendar slam and win all four majors in the same year. And having finally tasted major glory again last month, the Northern Irishman has already recognised that the weight of expectation feels lighter on his shoulders heading into the second major of the year. Combined with this week’s course, Quail Hollow, which McIlroy has won at four times before, and no wonder there are murmurings as to whether the 36-year-old can take the second step towards golfing immortality. Up against a strong field, which features 95 of the top 100 golfers in the world, that will prove a mean feat and four players, in particular, could be primed to spoil the party. Bryson DeChambeau Bryson DeChambeau fell short a the Masters (Picture: Getty) The final-round tussles between McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau have emerged as one of the most compelling subplots in recent majors. But while DeChambeau may have emerged victorious at the US Open last year, the American floundered under the spotlight last month at Augusta National when McIlroy came out on top. This week at Quail Hollow could provide the perfect arena for a third renewal of the rivalry. It’s a course that suits McIlroy, but one that will certainly catch the American’s eye as well. A rainy build-up to Thursday’s opening round should provide an even greater advantage to those who drive the ball far and straight, and in golf right now, there is nobody better than DeChambeau. A recent win at LIV’s event in South Korea will buoy his mood further, and the 31-year-old will need to second invitation to spoil the party for McIlroy come Sunday afternoon. Scottie Scheffler Scottie Scheffler is the bookies’ favourite (Picture: Getty) Having won the Masters in 2024, Scheffler arrived at last year’s PGA Championship hopeful of continuing his own bid for the calendar slam. Those efforts, however, were derailed in surreal fashion when the American was arrested ahead of his second round after a misunderstanding with police. No such obstacles are expected this year, and while it’s been a quiet start to the year for the World No.1, an eight-shot victory last time out at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson served as a timely reminder of his talent. Scheffler is yet to win a major away from the Masters, and has far less experience at Quail Hollow compared to his rivals, but only a fool would count him out. Justin Thomas Justin Thomas is a two-time winner of this event (Picture: Getty) After a tumble down the rankings over the last two seasons, Justin Thomas appears firmly back to his best. A first win since 2022 at last month’s RBC Heritage combined with five top-ten finishes this year, has the American back inside the world’s top five and bang in form ahead of this week. A two-time winner of the PGA Championship, Thomas has clearly taken a liking to this event and finished T8 last year at Valhalla despite being far from his best at the time. Many more will be wary of his threat this time around, though, especially as he returns to Quail Hollow, the site of his first major victory in 2017. Shane Lowry Shane Lowry narrowly missed out last week (Picture: Getty) Shane Lowry may have turned 38 last month, but the Irishman is only getting better with age, having entered the world’s top ten for the first time after his second-place finish at last week’s Truist Championship. A final-round meltdown at the Masters saw Lowry drift down the leaderboard, but he has regularly found himself in contention over the last few majors. At the Open last year, Lowry was within one shot of the lead during the final round before Xander Schauffele eased clear of the chasing pack. And at the PGA Championship in 2024, a record-equaling third-round 62 vaulted him into contention before an eventual T6 finish. Lowry is the only man on this list with just one major to his name, but now playing some of the most consistent golf of his career, there is no reason why this week couldn’t be the backdrop to his second triumph. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Just like London buses, Rory McIlroy will hope that after waiting almost 11 years to win his fifth major, another one may be right around the corner at this week’s US PGA Championship.
After years of close calls and heartbreak, McIlroy finally lifted his major hoodoo with a dramatic playoff victory at the Masters last month to become only the sixth golfer in history to complete the career Grand Slam.
The manner of such a victory was quick to reduce the World No.2 to tears, but the aftershocks may still ripple throughout the rest of his season.
For the first time in his career, McIlroy now has the opportunity to try and become the first player to complete the calendar slam and win all four majors in the same year.
And having finally tasted major glory again last month, the Northern Irishman has already recognised that the weight of expectation feels lighter on his shoulders heading into the second major of the year.
Combined with this week’s course, Quail Hollow, which McIlroy has won at four times before, and no wonder there are murmurings as to whether the 36-year-old can take the second step towards golfing immortality.
Up against a strong field, which features 95 of the top 100 golfers in the world, that will prove a mean feat and four players, in particular, could be primed to spoil the party.
Bryson DeChambeau
The final-round tussles between McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau have emerged as one of the most compelling subplots in recent majors.
But while DeChambeau may have emerged victorious at the US Open last year, the American floundered under the spotlight last month at Augusta National when McIlroy came out on top.
This week at Quail Hollow could provide the perfect arena for a third renewal of the rivalry. It’s a course that suits McIlroy, but one that will certainly catch the American’s eye as well.
A rainy build-up to Thursday’s opening round should provide an even greater advantage to those who drive the ball far and straight, and in golf right now, there is nobody better than DeChambeau.
A recent win at LIV’s event in South Korea will buoy his mood further, and the 31-year-old will need to second invitation to spoil the party for McIlroy come Sunday afternoon.
Scottie Scheffler
Having won the Masters in 2024, Scheffler arrived at last year’s PGA Championship hopeful of continuing his own bid for the calendar slam.
Those efforts, however, were derailed in surreal fashion when the American was arrested ahead of his second round after a misunderstanding with police.
No such obstacles are expected this year, and while it’s been a quiet start to the year for the World No.1, an eight-shot victory last time out at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson served as a timely reminder of his talent.
Scheffler is yet to win a major away from the Masters, and has far less experience at Quail Hollow compared to his rivals, but only a fool would count him out.
Justin Thomas
After a tumble down the rankings over the last two seasons, Justin Thomas appears firmly back to his best.
A first win since 2022 at last month’s RBC Heritage combined with five top-ten finishes this year, has the American back inside the world’s top five and bang in form ahead of this week.
A two-time winner of the PGA Championship, Thomas has clearly taken a liking to this event and finished T8 last year at Valhalla despite being far from his best at the time.
Many more will be wary of his threat this time around, though, especially as he returns to Quail Hollow, the site of his first major victory in 2017.
Shane Lowry
Shane Lowry may have turned 38 last month, but the Irishman is only getting better with age, having entered the world’s top ten for the first time after his second-place finish at last week’s Truist Championship.
A final-round meltdown at the Masters saw Lowry drift down the leaderboard, but he has regularly found himself in contention over the last few majors.
At the Open last year, Lowry was within one shot of the lead during the final round before Xander Schauffele eased clear of the chasing pack.
And at the PGA Championship in 2024, a record-equaling third-round 62 vaulted him into contention before an eventual T6 finish.
Lowry is the only man on this list with just one major to his name, but now playing some of the most consistent golf of his career, there is no reason why this week couldn’t be the backdrop to his second triumph.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
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