Why Rory McIlroy could have just been handed vital advantage at PGA Championship amid troublesome conditions

Rory McIlroy will be bidding to win his second major of the year at this week’s PGA Championship, and he’s been given an advantage in the build-up. The Northern Irishman will be riding on the crest of a wave after finally ending his Masters drought at Augusta last month. McIlroy’s Masters win was one of the moments of the year It was the one major missing from his collection and ensured he completed the career Grand Slam. Of course, in true McIlroy fashion, he didn’t make it easy, having to beat Justin Rose in a play-off to claim the famous green jacket after a topsy-turvy final round. And now, attention turns to the PGA Championship and a course that that he knows very well – Quail Hollow Club. If McIlroy wins here, he will keep his dream of completing the Calendar Slam alive, something even Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus couldn’t manage. And the five-time major winner may have just been handed a timely boost in pursuit of his third PGA Championship crown. There was a washout at Quail Hollow on Monday, meaning players are going to have less time to practice on the course. This won’t be a problem for the 2025 Masters champion, given he’s won at this venue four times across his storied career. McIlroy arguably knows Quail Hollow better than anyone so he won’t need the reps around the property as much as his peers. The rain is also going to mean that the course will play long and soft. These are conditions that McIlroy often excels in due to his driving ability and the length of his mid-irons. Quail Hollow has been a happy hunting ground for McIlroyGetty The fact he can hit the ball further than most will come in handy, especially if the wet conditions mean the tournament turns into target practice. His record at Quail Hollow is also superb. His overall record there since 2010 is an incredible 102-under-par, while he also holds the course record of 61. He claimed glory in the Wells Fargo Championship 12 months ago, beating defending PGA Championship holder Xander Schauffele by five shots. McIlroy is also in sparkling form, winning three events this year already, including that stunning Masters triumph. He didn’t manage to secure victory at the Truist Championship last time out, with Sepp Straka claiming the spoils. But he was happy to finish joint seventh. Speaking after the latest PGA Tour event, he said: “I think I’m in a good place. The PGA Championship is heading to Quail Hollow this year “I didn’t feel like I played all that well this week, I still finished seventh. Even my – what I feel is my bad golf, I’m still there or thereabouts. “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. “This week was a great indication of where my game is and what I need to think about and what I need to work on going into next week. “I think I would have hit more fairways if it had been tree-lined. Overall, I felt like I got a little better as the week went on. … I wish I’d made a few more birdies. I’ve got a better gauge of where my game is standing here right now than I did at the start of the week. It was a good week for that. “I wish I had gotten myself into contention a little bit more, but it was a good week, especially looking ahead to next week.” McIlroy, who won the PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014, will get his tournament up and running on Thursday and talkSPORT will have regular updates from North Carolina. The Open 2025 Hospitality Enjoy a 3-night weekend getaway with grounds admission tickets for both Saturday and Sunday of The Open 2025. Stay in comfort at the Hilton Templepatrick, with transfers included and exclusive access to the Your Golf Travel Clubhouse. All this from just £1,270 per person – don’t miss your chance to be part of golf’s biggest event in ultimate style. Plan your dream golf trip HERE.

May 12, 2025 - 17:59

Why Rory McIlroy could have just been handed vital advantage at PGA Championship amid troublesome conditions

Rory McIlroy will be bidding to win his second major of the year at this week’s PGA Championship, and he’s been given an advantage in the build-up.

The Northern Irishman will be riding on the crest of a wave after finally ending his Masters drought at Augusta last month.

McIlroy’s Masters win was one of the moments of the year

It was the one major missing from his collection and ensured he completed the career Grand Slam.

Of course, in true McIlroy fashion, he didn’t make it easy, having to beat Justin Rose in a play-off to claim the famous green jacket after a topsy-turvy final round.

And now, attention turns to the PGA Championship and a course that that he knows very well – Quail Hollow Club.

If McIlroy wins here, he will keep his dream of completing the Calendar Slam alive, something even Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus couldn’t manage.

And the five-time major winner may have just been handed a timely boost in pursuit of his third PGA Championship crown.

There was a washout at Quail Hollow on Monday, meaning players are going to have less time to practice on the course.

This won’t be a problem for the 2025 Masters champion, given he’s won at this venue four times across his storied career.

McIlroy arguably knows Quail Hollow better than anyone so he won’t need the reps around the property as much as his peers.

The rain is also going to mean that the course will play long and soft.

These are conditions that McIlroy often excels in due to his driving ability and the length of his mid-irons.

Quail Hollow has been a happy hunting ground for McIlroy

The fact he can hit the ball further than most will come in handy, especially if the wet conditions mean the tournament turns into target practice.

His record at Quail Hollow is also superb.

His overall record there since 2010 is an incredible 102-under-par, while he also holds the course record of 61.

He claimed glory in the Wells Fargo Championship 12 months ago, beating defending PGA Championship holder Xander Schauffele by five shots.

McIlroy is also in sparkling form, winning three events this year already, including that stunning Masters triumph.

He didn’t manage to secure victory at the Truist Championship last time out, with Sepp Straka claiming the spoils.

But he was happy to finish joint seventh.

Speaking after the latest PGA Tour event, he said: “I think I’m in a good place.

The PGA Championship is heading to Quail Hollow this year

“I didn’t feel like I played all that well this week, I still finished seventh. Even my – what I feel is my bad golf, I’m still there or thereabouts.

“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.

“This week was a great indication of where my game is and what I need to think about and what I need to work on going into next week.

“I think I would have hit more fairways if it had been tree-lined.

Overall, I felt like I got a little better as the week went on. … I wish I’d made a few more birdies. I’ve got a better gauge of where my game is standing here right now than I did at the start of the week. It was a good week for that.

“I wish I had gotten myself into contention a little bit more, but it was a good week, especially looking ahead to next week.”

McIlroy, who won the PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014, will get his tournament up and running on Thursday and talkSPORT will have regular updates from North Carolina.