McIlroy's new resilience puts PGA rivals on notice

First came the vulnerability over many years.

- JACK RATHBORN

Then the outpouring of emotion at the Masters – Rory McIlroy allowing us to witness one of the most intimate moments in sports for decades. Completing the grand slam and slipping on that green jacket banished the demons after so much heartache – that Augusta collapse; freezing at Royal Portrush before the Open had barely begun; stumbling over 18 holes on Sunday at St Andrews as Cam Smith snuck up on him; and then the torture of Pinehurst No. 2 last year.

Now, though, with five career majors elevating himself back above Brooks Koepka as the definitive player of a generation, if there was any doubt beforehand, McIlroy is certainly emboldened ahead of this week’s PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. And that is a dangerous quality for his rivals, too. The talk this week has mostly swirled around the Northern Irishman and an audacious calendar slam bid, sending fans into a frenzy. However, Scottie Scheffler remains the world No. 1 after romping to victory by eight shots at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson two weeks ago.