McIlroy backed for PGA

DA R R E N C l a r k e h a s backed Rory McIlroy to win a third US PGA Championship at Baltusrol and avoid extending his winless streak in Majors to two full years.

McIlroy won the Irish Open i n May and has recorded eight other top10 finishes in strokeplay events in 2016 but failed to add to his tally of four major titles in the Masters, US Open and Open Championship.

However, the 28-yearold has a brilliant record in the US PGA after victories in 2012 and 2014 and three other top-eight finishes in seven appearances, and fellow Northern Irishman Clarke believes another win i s j ust around the corner.

“Ror y can win any week,” said European Ryder Cup captain Clarke .

“He’s been very close to playing really well for quite some time now.

“He just seems to have thrown in the odd not-sogood round and the putter hasn’t really been behaving.

“But Rory i s such a talent that he can win anywhere. When you have his ability to hit the ball as far as he does and as straight as he does, he can overpower any golf course.

“Just because he hasn’t won since the Irish Open, I have no concerns whatsoever. It’s only a matter of time before he wins again and it may be this week.”

None of the so-called ‘Big Three’ of McIlroy, Jason Day and Jordan Spieth have won a Major this season, with Danny Willett, Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson winning the Masters, US Open and Open Championship respectively.

Rory McIlroy