TON-UP ELS STILL HUNGRY

MCILROY BACKS HIMSELF TO WIN AT HIS HAPPY HUNTING GROUND

RORY MCILROY reckons he is still a good bet, despite being the 7-1 favourite to win the US PGA this week.

The world No.4 urged punters to back him at The Open last month when he teed off at 20-1 after missing three out of four cuts.

But after two top-five finishes in his last two events – including fourth at Royal Birkdale following a terrible start – the Ulsterman has more backers before the final Major of the season at Quail Hollow.

Mcilroy has won twice on the North Carolina course and set the scoring record in 2015.

Open champion Jordan Spieth, looking to complete his career Grand Slam here this week, has claimed Mcilroy is the guy to beat. And the US PGA champion in 2012 and 2014 did not disagree – insisting he is still good value.

“I told you those odds of 20-1 wouldn’t last long,” he laughed.

“I think it’s partly to do with the upturn in form that I’ve had over the last few weeks and then my history on this golf course – a couple of wins, beaten in a play-off, a few other top 10s.

“I’ve had a lot of success here before. I’ve always played well here. I’ve always felt comfortable on this golf course.

“How many times have I played here? Seven. How many times have I won? Twice – 7-2, those are the odds.”

The soggy start to the week here and a bad forecast for the week have softened the course and hardened Mcilroy’s chances.

“I definitely don’t want to be in the mindset this week of wanting to make any type of statement or go out and prove myself,” he said.

“I’ve proven myself enough over the last nine years of my career. I am not putting any pressure on myself. I just want to play my game and, hopefully, that will be good enough.”

Mcilroy will have his best man, Harry Diamond, on his bag for their first Major together after sacking JP Fitzgerald after The Open. He has yet to make a decision on a permanent replacement.

“I am trying to get this week out of the way before I think about that,” he said.

triumphs at the Open – the American winning at Muirfield in 2013 and Els lifting the Claret Jug for the second time at Royal Lytham in 2012. The South African, world No.419, is only playing in Charlotte on a special invitation after his five-year Major exemption expired. Els said: “I’ll be 48 in October, but there’s so much to play for. “This age motivates me, scares me and excites me. “I’ll never dominate the game again, but if I catch a streak, I know how to close out a tournament. I

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