Rory McIlroy Returns to His Happy Place: Why the Favourite Tag at Quail Hollow is Well Deserved

Why McIlroy is Favourite to Win US PGA at Quail Hollow

Rory McIlroy’s affinity with Quail Hollow is no secret. It’s a place where his towering drives, attacking mindset, and unshakable confidence come together in perfect harmony. As the PGA Championship rolls into Charlotte, North Carolina, it’s hard to argue against McIlroy being the man to beat. This isn’t just a case of media hype or historical sentimentality — his record at Quail Hollow speaks for itself.

The Northern Irishman has four victories at this venue, including a dominant display last year where he finished five shots clear of the field. In fact, McIlroy holds the course record at Quail — a blistering 61 that still reverberates as one of his most explosive performances. Little wonder then, that Jordan Spieth recently joked about the course being renamed the “Rory McIlroy Country Club.”

A Track Made for Rory

Measuring 7,626 yards, this par-71 layout is a beast — but it’s a beast McIlroy knows how to tame. Designed by George Cobb and reworked by Tom Fazio, Quail Hollow has matured into a stern yet fair major test. It’s got everything: tight fairways, deep bunkers, slick Bermuda greens, and enough water hazards to keep nerves jangling. Yet McIlroy seems to float above it all when he’s in his groove here.

DP World Tour regular Oliver Wilson, who knows the course intimately, summed it up well: “The way Rory drives the ball gives him a bigger advantage here than almost anywhere else. Some of the longer holes become reachable for him in a way they aren’t for most players. The 16th hole is a perfect example.”

When McIlroy won his first PGA Tour event here back in 2010, he was just 20 years old — a curly-haired prodigy with a limitless future. That weekend, he shot rounds of 66 and 62, announcing himself with a bang. He didn’t just win — he romped home, finishing four strokes clear of Phil Mickelson and holing a ridiculous 40-footer on the final green to cap it off.

Why the Stats Back the Favourite Label

Since that maiden win, Quail Hollow has remained McIlroy’s playground. He’s 102 under par across all his appearances here, a ridiculous number for such a demanding course. When he returned in 2015 and shot a course-record 61 en route to another win, it was further confirmation that he’s more than just comfortable here — he thrives.

Even when he’s off the fairways, McIlroy finds ways to shine. During last year’s victory, he hit just 29 of 56 fairways — barely above 50% — yet still led the field in strokes gained off the tee. His iron play wasn’t far behind either, with 49 greens in regulation over four rounds. Those numbers tell you everything about the kind of confidence he has at Quail.

“This is a golf course that lets you hit driver a lot,” McIlroy said recently. “If you have the length, you can really take advantage of that here. It’s a big reason why I’ve done so well over the years.”

Learning from 2017

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Curiously, the last time Quail Hollow hosted the PGA Championship in 2017, McIlroy didn’t factor in the title race. He was a non-threatening presence that week, finishing well back with rounds of 72, 72, 73, and 68. But in his defense, the course had just been overhauled and the greens were firmer, faster, and far more unpredictable than usual.

“It felt like a completely different golf course,” he admitted at the time. “Just changing to full Bermuda made it play at least two shots harder.”

Now, several years on and with more renovations bedding in, Quail Hollow has regained the familiar feeling McIlroy thrives on. His wins here in 2021 and again last year prove that whatever tweaks have been made, the track still plays into his strengths.

Birthday Celebrations and Local Ties

There’s something to be said for comfort off the course, too. For over a decade, McIlroy has celebrated most of his birthdays in Charlotte due to the PGA Tour’s May scheduling. It’s a city he feels a connection with — from the fans who have watched him grow up, to the local ties that have formed over the years.

“It’s a place I love coming back to,” he said. “The people, the course, the atmosphere — it’s all familiar. And familiarity breeds confidence.”

He’s right. Golf is a mental game as much as it is physical, and when a player feels at home, it often translates to performance. As he returns to Charlotte with the glow of a recent Masters win and a completed career Grand Slam, McIlroy looks not just rested, but recharged.

A Storm Brewing — In the Sky and on the Leaderboard

The weather forecast calls for a stormy lead-up to this year’s PGA Championship, with possible rain softening the course. That could play further into McIlroy’s hands, making the fairways more receptive and placing an even greater emphasis on distance off the tee.

Championship officials are expected to toughen the layout — longer rough, newly added tee boxes, and more demanding pin positions. Yet, McIlroy won’t blink. He’s been through it all here and carries memories from every corner of the property.

“I feel like there’s not a place on this golf course where I haven’t hit it from,” he said, flashing that trademark grin. “I have memories from every spot — and most of them are good ones.”

Looking Ahead: History on the Horizon

Should he lift the Wanamaker Trophy again, McIlroy would equal Sir Nick Faldo’s total of six major championships, putting him joint-top among Europeans in the modern era. That’s no small feat, and you can bet he’s aware of what’s at stake.

But he’s not chasing ghosts or burdened by pressure. Instead, he’s stepping into a familiar arena, armed with form, momentum, and a deep-rooted belief that Quail Hollow is his stage.

And if history has taught us anything, it’s that when Rory McIlroy feels that way — magic tends to follow.