Should Rory McIlroy Be Favored at 2021 PGA Championship?

Rory McIlroy is now the favorite to win the 2021 PGA Championship. There are several reasons why this has happened but the question remains, should McIlroy be the favorite?

McIlroy is coming off an impressive win at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow. He played the final three rounds especially well and held off Abraham Ancer for the win.

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Yes, McIlroy remains one of the game’s top players. He moved up eight spots in the latest Official World Golf Rankings to number seven.

Yes, McIlroy is one of the most accomplished players in the world. He has four major championships under his belt and has won every major except the Masters.

One of those major championship wins came at the 2012 PGA Championship, which was played at Kiawah Island, the site of this year’s PGA. McIlroy blew away the field that week, winning by eight shots. That’s definitely something that’s in his favor.

However, there are still some things that are concerning about the state of McIlroy’s game.

The win at the Wells Fargo was McIlroy’s first win on the PGA Tour in 18 months. He hasn’t exactly been tearing it up on tour this season. He missed the cut at the Players Championship and at the Masters. The win at Quail Hollow could also be seen as McIlroy playing well on a course he seems to like (he has won there three times).

McIlroy also has not won a major, any major, in more than seven years. He has started 24 majors since his last win and his best finish was a tie for second at the 2018 Open Championship. While McIlroy does have 12 finishes inside the Top 10 in those 24 majors, he has not won any of them.

Next. 2021 Wells Fargo: Winners and Losers from Quail Hollow. dark

There’s also the fact that McIlroy will face a field full of the world’s best players. Would you really want McIlroy ahead of Dustin Johnson? Justin Thomas? Jon Rahm? Bryson DeChambeau?

Things are stacking up in McIlroy’s favor heading into the PGA in two weeks. He will certainly be a contender but should he really be the favorite?