Masters champion Rory McIlroy is the man to beat as admiration and envy swirl among rivals at rain-soaked Quail Hollow

Rory McIlroy might be soft-spoken off the course, but his presence at this week’s US PGA Championship is deafening. Still riding high from his historic Masters win that completed the career Grand Slam, McIlroy enters Quail Hollow not just as a favourite, but as the standard.

With three victories already this season, including at Pebble Beach and The Players Championship, the Northern Irishman is back to his dominant best. The hype around him is palpable, even among the game’s elite. And it’s not just awe—there’s envy, too.

“Watching Rory win was inspiring,” admitted Jordan Spieth, who is still chasing his own career Grand Slam. “You could tell it meant a lot to him—he’s tried for years. I’d love to be in that spot come Sunday.”

Justin Thomas, a two-time PGA champion, went further. “There’s a part of me that’s jealous,” he confessed. “I’ve always wanted to win the Grand Slam. Seeing someone do it right in front of you—it’s a wake-up call.”

McIlroy’s record at Quail Hollow only deepens the sense that this might be another chapter in an unforgettable season. Four titles at the venue, including last year’s Wells Fargo, tell part of the story. The rest is in the numbers: a staggering scoring average of 69.48, 10 top-10 finishes in 14 starts, and a massive 55 strokes gained over the field since 2010.

Scottie Scheffler, the world number one and Masters runner-up, admitted he’d trade his own driving for McIlroy’s. “You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who’s driven the ball better in history,” he said. “Tiger had speed, but Rory’s accuracy sets him apart. He hits it far and straight.”

Statistically, McIlroy doesn’t top every driving category—his 51.8% accuracy is below the tour average—but he’s fourth in distance (306 yards) and leads in strokes gained off the tee, making him a powerhouse on the course’s longer layout. With over three inches of rain softening fairways, Quail Hollow is playing longer, favouring his game even more.

Jon Rahm, no slouch himself, praised McIlroy’s putting at Quail, even preferring it over Rory’s famed driving. “He’s put so well here,” said the Spaniard. “Based on success at this course, you almost have to borrow some of Rory’s game.”

Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau is eyeing a rematch. After edging McIlroy at last year’s US Open and fading in their Masters pairing, he’s keen for redemption. “Maybe I do well, maybe I don’t,” he shrugged. “But I know Rory will give it his all. I’ll do the same.”

And Rory? He’s yet to speak publicly ahead of Thursday’s first round. Torrential weather scrapped his media availability, but he’s set to face the press on Wednesday afternoon.

What’s clear, though, is that McIlroy’s aura is undeniable. The player once scrutinised for not sealing the Grand Slam has flipped the script—and is now inspiring and tormenting his peers in equal measure.

As Spieth, Thomas, Scheffler and Rahm jostle for the biggest trophy of the week, one truth resonates: to win the Wanamaker on Sunday, you may first have to beat the man who already has golf’s full house.