McIlroy returns to favourite playground at Quail Hollow as a leading contender

Fresh off a long-awaited Masters win that completed his career Grand Slam, Rory McIlroy rolls into this week’s PGA Championship at Quail Hollow not just as a contender, but as the joint favourite alongside world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

It’s a course the Northern Irishman has practically made his own over the years, and now, with the pressure valve finally released, he might be more dangerous than ever.

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Observers say there’s a different energy around him right now. He’s no longer chasing — just swinging freely. And that’s when Rory is at his most dangerous.

And if history is anything to go by, Quail Hollow suits him like a glove. McIlroy has won four times here — including a five-shot romp last year — and it’s widely considered his personal playground on Tour. Now, with the Augusta monkey off his back and a new wave of confidence, he has a real shot at chasing down the elusive calendar-year Grand Slam.

But don’t expect the path to be smooth.

Scheffler factor

Scheffler, fresh off tying a PGA Tour 72-hole scoring record with a jaw-dropping 31-under performance at TPC Craig Ranch, is very much in form. And Bryson DeChambeau, who stirred things up at the Masters before closing out a win at LIV Golf Korea, is back in the major mix too.

Meanwhile, Justin Thomas returns to the site of his major breakthrough in 2017 — and just snapped a winless stretch at a signature PGA Tour event in South Carolina. He knows how to win here and is finally trending in the right direction at the right time.

There’s also Jordan Spieth, still chasing his place in golf history. The Texan has three top-10s already this season and is gunning to become only the seventh player ever to complete the career Grand Slam. If the putter heats up, he could be right there come Sunday.

And let’s not sleep on Xander Schauffele, a steady presence in big events, who’s looking to break through and become the first repeat PGA Championship winner since Brooks Koepka in 2019.

Top Billing

The oddsmakers aren’t shy about where the spotlight falls this week. Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler share the top billing as joint-favourites at 9/2, a nod to McIlroy’s red-hot form and Scheffler’s recent dominance.

Right behind them sits Bryson DeChambeau at 8/1, riding high off a recent win and a strong showing at Augusta. Justin Thomas, a two-time former PGA champ at Quail Hollow, is listed at 16/1, while the ever-consistent defending champion Xander Schauffele rounds out the top contenders at 18/1.

Beyond the numbers and narratives, though, all eyes are on McIlroy. With the emotional weight of Augusta behind him and his game peaking, this could be the start of a remarkable second chapter in an already storied career.

Quail Hollow is familiar ground — and Rory’s looking to own it once again.