The PGA Championship returns to Valhalla for the first time since the Northern Irishman secured victory a decade ago. That win was McIlroy’s second major of a summer that seemed to mark his arrival as golf’s dominant force, but the 35-year-old has not added to his collection since.
A win at the Wells Fargo Championship has left him full of confidence for the event in Louisville, although off-course matters have taken centre stage in the past couple of days with the news that he has filed for divorce from his wife of seven years, Erica.
With a field full of legitimate contenders due to compete at Valhalla, here are five of the challengers likeliest to rival McIlroy for victory at the second men’s major of the year.
Scottie Scheffler
The Masters winner has established himself as the best player in the world this season, dominating the PGA Tour. With his putting issues seemingly solved, the American was cool and calm in the final round at Augusta to secure a second green jacket.
This story is from the May 16, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 16, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Is our anti-ageing obsession now totally out of hand?
With women opting for botox injections to keep their hands looking youthful, Ellie Muir examines new beauty standards
Reeves takes an extra £2bn in inheritance tax - for now
Inheritance tax (IHT) is an odd one; many worry about it but only a tiny minority ever end up paying it. After this Budget, the minority will grow and the bills they face will rise.
Manchester United's life is in Amorim's capable hands
The manager made a fading Portuguese side into champions. Lawrence Ostlere pinpoints the tactics that may save United
Did the Women's Equality Party achieve its ambition?
Leaders of the Women's Equality Party (WEP) propose to wind up their organisation. A statement issued by its executive committee, endorsed by co-founders Sandi Toksvig and Catherine Mayer, declares: \"The truth is, despite themphenomenal efforts of our team, tireless activists and brilliant members, we can no longer see a way to make this work. Everybody is struggling, particularly women.
New breast cancer therapy drug 'doubles survival time
A new drug therapy for aggressive advanced breast cancer could potentially double the amount of time patients live without the disease progressing, a trial has found.
Northern Rail reveals it is still communicating via fax
A Northern Rail official has admitted the operator still uses fax machines to communicate with its train crews in an excruciating exchange about the state of its services.
Abortion clinic protest ban watered down, activists say
Campaigners have hit out at the decision not to automatically ban silent prayer outside abortion clinics when new buffer zones are implemented today. Under the new measures, it will now be illegal to influence, harass or provoke those using or delivering abortion services within a 150-metre radius of the abortion provider. Those who infringe the new rules can be hit with an unlimited fine.
First UK case of potentially deadly mpox strain detected
The first UK case of a potentially deadly strain of the has been detected in London.
Key figures from day when long-held records tumbled
The first Budget by a Labour chancellor in 14 years, and the first to be delivered by a woman, also signalled some major historical milestones for tax and spending.
Sunak showed his anger in his last stand as Tory leader
The Budget reply was Rishi Sunak's last big gig in the House of Commons despite Keir Starmer's joke during Prime Minister's Questions that the Conservatives change leader so often, \"he may be back here\" soon. In those exchanges, Starmer and Sunak were all courtesy and best behaviour. Starmer paid tribute to his defeated opponent’s “decency”; Sunak was softly spoken and bipartisan.