Rory McIlroy arrived at Aronimink Golf Club with a clear objective: become the first player since Jordan Spieth in 2015 to capture the first two majors of a calendar year. Fresh from a one‑shot victory at the Masters, the Northern Irishman entered the PGA Championship as a pre‑tournament favourite, intent on adding another major to his résumé.

After a post‑Masters slump that saw him miss the cut in the next two majors, McIlroy said the mental reset took months. He now feels a “nice clear road ahead” and plans to decompress after Augusta, then focus on the PGA before the US Open and The Open. A scouting trip to Aronimink two weeks ago gave him a relaxed start to the week.

McIlroy recalled his two PGA wins in 2012 and 2014 came when the tournament was held in August; the move to May compresses the schedule, forcing him to balance recovery with preparation. He expects the course to demand pure driving and precise putting rather than strategic tee shots. With his mindset reset, McIlroy aims to turn his recent momentum into another major triumph.