A flood of titles could be headed Rory’s way if he ends long drought
RORY Mcilroy has played in 35 Majors since his last win in one. Yeah, 35 for the 35-year-old who was a decade younger when in the darkness he shone like a beacon at the US PGA Championship in 2014.
It is one of the great mysteries in sport why the most gifted golfer of his generation has not added to his four Major triumphs over the past 10 years.
While history has tended to weigh him down at The Masters when striving to complete the Grand Slam, that excuse can’t be used for the other three tournaments.
In nine attempts at the US Open he has missed three cuts and been in the top 10 the rest, finishing runner-up in 2023.
Seven times he has played The Open in the same time-frame ending up in the top 10 on five of those with a single missed cut at Royal Portrush and one 46th placed position. By those numbers he has given himself a shot at glory on various occasions but has failed to get the job done.
For the US PGA he has rarely been close with three top 10s but none higher than seventh, one missed cut and a 17th, 22nd, 50th, 33rd and 49th.
Could it be different this time? What is certain is that Mcilroy will enter the 2024 US PGA Championship in a positive frame of mind having won the Zurich Classic alongside close friend Shane Lowry a fortnight ago and the Wells Fargo Championship at the weekend courtesy of a blistering final round.
Paired with overnight leader Xander Schauffele, Holywood hero Mcilroy produced stunning golf with four birdies and two eagles over an eight hole stretch to blow the American away and cruise to a fourth victory at the tournament staged at Quail Hollow, one of his favourite courses.
And where next for Rory? Another place which will bring back happy memories — Valhalla scene of his most recent Major success in 2014.
It’s as if after all the agony of missing out at the big events, the script has been written for Mcilroy to end a decade of pain at the venue where he enjoyed his last major joy.
A decade ago at Valhalla he was also going for his third tournament victory in a row and completed the hat-trick in a dramatic late finish beating Phil Mickelson by one shot.
No wonder he feels good about his chances 10 years on.
He said: “My golf swing feels more comfortable than it has done and going to a venue where I have won it feels like the stars are aligning a little bit but I have a lot of golf to play and a lot of great players to try to beat.”
That he does, including reigning US PGA Champion Brooks Koepka, who has won five Majors during Mcilroy’s zero era at that level, and World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, imperious in April when triumphing at The Masters.
It should be fun to watch and if Mcilroy finally ends his drought, don’t be surprised if it sparks a flood of Majors for Northern Ireland’s greatest sports star.