Young ones set to reign free at Quail
The American, 24,who also won the 2015 Masters and US Open, could become only the sixth man to sweep the four major titles in a career after Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Gene Sarazen.
Spieth will be 24 years and 17 days on Sunday, about six months younger than Woods – the youngest so far to win all four majors – when he won the 2000 British Open to complete his career slam. And Spieth could become the first player to complete a career slam with a victory at the PGA Championship.
Fourth-ranked McIlroy, a 28-year-old from Northern Ireland, could become only the third player to win five majors before turning 30, joining Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.
But McIlroy, missing only the Masters to complete his own career Grand Slam, hasn’t won a major since the 2014 PGA Championship.
What he has done, however, is win twice at Quail Hollow and lost another in a playoff. And he has shown he can play well in wet conditions, notably in taking his first major title at the 2011 US Open at Congressional.
Spieth shies away from the favourite role, saying, “I’d say Rory is probably the guy to beat.” Las Vegas oddsmakers agree, giving McIlroy a 7-1 chance with Spieth at 8-1.
Asked what odds he’d give himself, McIlroy cited two wins in eight starts at Quail Hollow – “8-2, decent odds”.
“I’ve won a couple times. I like PGA Championship setups. They are fair.
“If I’m the favourite, I’m happy with that, it means I’m playing well.”
McIlroy credits his improved form in recent weeks, a share of fourth in last month’s British Open and fifth in last week’s World Golf Championships in Akron, with confidence from casinos.
“I think it’s partly to do with the around a tree at the 13th hole at Augusta on the way to victory in 2010 and Els with his second shot at 17 to help seal his second US Open title at Congressional. — AFP upturn in form that I’ve had over the last few weeks and then my history on this golf course,” he said. “I think it’s a little bit of both.”
Changes have been made to the layout since McIlroy’s victories in 2010 and 2015, when he broke his own course record with a 61 in the third round.
“I think the changes are really good,” said McIlroy. “It makes the first six holes a lot more challenging.
“I still feel like the golf course gives you plenty of chances.” World number one Dustin Johnson says he has once more found the form that delivered him three consecutive titles in February and March before a fall and back injury on the eve of the Masters derailed his campaign. And he’s happy to have it wet so the course plays longer with the greens holding better.
“That there is going to cut the field in half,” said Johnson. “It’s hard. It’s long. You can’t fake it around here. Everything has got to be good.”
And everyone will be watching Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama after his 61 to win the WGC Akron title on Sunday.
“What Hideki did was pretty impressive,” said McIlroy. “He’s playing well and he hits it long to contend around here. His confidence is high. I’m sure he’ll be a factor this week.” — AFP