Rory McIlroy Hopes 'The Stars Are Aligning A Little Bit' Ahead Of PGA Championship Bid
After a storming victory at Quail Hollow, Rory McIlroy hopes the "stars are aligning" for him to end his Major drought as he returns to Valhalla for the 2024 PGA Championship
![Rory McIlroy wins the Wells Fargo Championship](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fjsbqV5DoPktxxqiFrQpHb-415-80.jpg)
After storming to another victory at the Wells Fargo Championship, Rory McIlroy hopes "the stars are aligning a little bit" for him to finally end his wait for a fifth Major the the PGA Championship this week.
McIlroy produced one of his trademark explosive bursts at Quail Hollow to overhaul Xander Schauffele on the way to a commanding five-shot victory - his fourth at the Wells Fargo.
It was a real statement of intent from the Northern Irishman, who returns to the scene of his last Major triumph back in 2014 at Valhalla in Kentucky this week looking to end his decade-long wait for a fifth Major.
And after taking advantage of his comfort factor at Quail Hollow, McIlroy hopes to do the same when he returns to Valhalla.
“Coming into this week, at a golf course I am comfortable with, my golf swing feels more comfortable than it has done," McIlroy told CBS on the 18th green after his win.
“Going to a venue next week 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."
After winning the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside Shane Lowry, it's two wins in a row for McIlroy heading into the PGA Championship - just as it was in 2014.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"It's really funny, so going into Valhalla in 2014 I had won my last two starts, and going into this year I've won my last two starts," McIlroy added in his press conference.
"Just need to try to replicate whatever I did in 2014, just try to do that all over again.
Rory McIlroy shares a heartfelt message for his mom, Rosie ❤️ pic.twitter.com/qVuiOfeaxiMay 12, 2024
"Yeah, I'm feeling really good with my game. I need to stay in my own little world next week and not get too far ahead of myself, but if you can step on to the first tee at Valhalla on Thursday and feel as good about my game as I did today, I think I'll have a good chance."
McIlroy credits the Zurich Classic victory alongside Lowry for giving him a boost of confidence ahead of claiming his 26th PGA Tour title at Quail Hollow
"I think getting the win at Zurich with Shane was a big confidence builder for both of us. I definitely took a lot from it, especially with how I played at the weekend there. And I think this week was just a continuation of how I felt."
Four birdies and two eagles during an eight-hole stretch conjured up memories of the freewheeling McIlroy of old, but although he admitted it did feel something like that, he insists he's a better player these days.
"I've been sort of banging this drum for the last few years, but I'm a way better player now than I was back then.
"I haven't had the Major record to back that up, but I've had the wins, I've done everything else there is to do in the game since 2014.
"The only thing I need to do is get another Major. You know, a win like this going into the PGA Championship next week is a good way to prep for that."
Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website. Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush.
-
Great Britain And Ireland Curtis Cup Star Sara Byrne Turns Professional
The Irish player, who went unbeaten at the Sunningdale match, has announced on Instagram she has left her amateur career behind
By Mike Hall Published
-
Former PGA Tour Pro Opens Up On Battles With Alcoholism
Steve Wheatcroft has opened up on his issues, which came to the surface in 2019, three years after he retired from the game
By Mike Hall Published
-
Scottie Scheffler Arrest Helps Boost PGA Championship TV Numbers Despite NBA Playoff Competition
The World No.1's arrest on Friday and a stellar finish at Valhalla helped CBS record a notable bump in TV viewing figures compared to 2023
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
WATCH: How Team Schauffele Celebrated Xander’s Record-Breaking PGA Championship Win
The new World No.2 enjoyed landing his first Major title at Valhalla by partying alongside friends and family at their accommodation later on Sunday
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
The Astonishing Stat On Just How Low Scoring Was At The 2024 PGA Championship
The combined score to par for the PGA Championship field shows just how generous Valhalla was at the Major
By Mike Hall Published
-
'Beaming' Johnson Wagner Struggles To Replicate Xander Schauffele's Clutch PGA Championship Shot After Funny Shanks
Golf Channel analyst Johnson Wagner proved just how impressive Schauffele's clutch shot out of the rough was on 18 on Sunday...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Which Players Secured Their Spots For The 2025 PGA Championship?
Following strong performances at Valhalla, we will see a number of players return to the PGA Championship in 2025
By Matt Cradock Published
-
2 Of LIV Golf’s Biggest Hitters Top PGA Championship Driving-Distance Chart
Rory McIlroy was the PGA Tour's biggest hitter in 2023, but even he couldn't hang with a pair of the LIV Golf League's longest drivers at Valhalla
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
‘Man For The People’ - Watch Classy DeChambeau Ensure Young Fan Gets His Golf Ball At PGA Championship
After throwing his golf ball to a young fan, which was intercepted by an older gentleman, DeChambeau waited until it was returned to its rightful owner as he battled it out at Valhalla
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'Definitely Disappointing' - Bryson DeChambeau Reacts To PGA Championship Near-Miss
The 2020 US Open champion shot a final round 64 to finish just one stroke shy of Xander Schauffele at Valhalla
By Elliott Heath Published