2022 PGA Championship: Top 10 Power Rankings at Southern Hills

Two top-fives in his last two starts are just the recipe to stir up sentiment toward Rory McIlroy getting back to his major championship-winning ways.

The Northern Irishman had some thinking miracle when he attempted to roar back for a Masters title and the career Grand Slam. A Sunday 64 culminating in a hole-out for birdie on 18 surged McIlroy up to a solo second finish, his best result at Augusta National.

He was never truly a threat to win on Scottie Scheffler’s week, but he got himself back in the mix his next time out at the Wells Fargo Championship.

McIlroy battled Open Championship-like conditions at TPC Potomac to grab solo fifth. He’s up to four top-10s on the 2021-22 PGA Tour season as well as a third place on the DP World Tour.

The 33-year-old has made four cuts in a row at the majors, as well as seven of the last eight. He strolled to a win at the 2014 PGA Championship, his last of four major titles.

The PGA Championship might be his best major with two wins and five top-10s.

McIlroy ranks fifth on the PGA Tour in total strokes gained (1.807). He’s 66th or better in each SG category, including third off the tee (.827). McIlroy has missed just one cut worldwide since July. That consistency is embodied by a sub-70 scoring average that ranks him second (69.455).

McIlroy is a resilient player. He’s 22nd in bounce back percentage (27.42%) and is a threat even when several shots back.

The key for him is to avoid the slow starts that seem to relegate him to backdoor top-10s and early tee times on the weekend.

I see McIlroy using driver to his advantage to get in the mix at Southern Hills.