Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Staff reporter & PA

One worrying statistic suggests Rory McIlroy can not win USPGA title this week

Form and confidence seems to have deserted Rory McIlroy ahead of the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill this week and there is one other major cause for concern.

The Holywood man is looking to bounce back from his dispiriting performance in the Masters but at 34, recent statistics suggest that is now highly unlikely.

The last seven men’s majors have been won by players in their 20s, a streak beginning with Jon Rahm’s victory in the 2021 US Open and extended by the Spaniard’s triumph at Augusta National last month.

Read next: Tom McKibbin still has hope of US Open bow despite qualification blow

McIlroy, who missed the cut in the Masters after a second round of 77, turned 34 earlier this month and even the prospect of playing a major at a course where he is a member has seemingly done little to raise his spirits.

“It’s not as if I have a ton of local knowledge here compared to everyone else,” said McIlroy, whose wife Erica is from Rochester.

“The last two days are the most I’ve really seen of this golf course over the last couple of years.”

McIlroy was due to be among the early starters on Thursday alongside defending champion Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa, with many of the pre-tournament favourites getting their campaigns under way from the 10th.

Jordan Spieth, who needs to win the US PGA to complete a career grand slam, looked set to overcome a wrist injury to compete at Oak Hill, where Jason Dufner won his sole major title in 2013.

Spaniard Rahm is joint favourite alongside US sensation Scottie Scheffler. The event will be covered live by Sky Sports and live coverage gets underway at 1pm on Thursday.

Key tee times (all BST)

1300 – Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka, Gary Woodland

1311 – Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa

1322 – Shane Lowry, Jordan Spieth, Viktor Hovland

1333 – Matt Fitzpatrick, Cameron Smith, Jon Rahm

Oak Hill Weather forecast

Widespread frost is likely on Thursday morning before temperatures begin to moderate during the afternoon with highs reaching the mid-60s. Much warmer temperatures can be expected on Friday ahead of an approaching cold front and upper-level low pressure system that will move through the region on Saturday.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.