In the lead-up to the PGA Championship next week, Rory McIlroy is regaining his form, but he is aware of the threat that world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler poses at Valhalla.
Although Scottie Scheffler is not competing at the Wells Fargo Championship this week, Rory McIlroy immediately brought him up after the Northern Irishman’s outstanding third round at Quail Hollow.
Starting the day four shots behind leader Xander Schauffele, McIlroy was in second place. Nevertheless, the four-time major champion’s elegant four-under-par, bogey-free 67 at the end of Saturday’s play reduced the American’s lead to one.
After a difficult start to the PGA Tour season, McIlroy is starting to find his game. After defeating Shane Lowry in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans two weeks ago, he looks to win two straight on Sunday. However, the joke he told CBS after the round revealed his mentality for the PGA Championship at Valhalla the following week.
“I now know what Scottie Scheffler feels like—two days in a row without a bogey—” McIlroy remarked, alluding to Scheffler’s amazing form this season, which has resulted in wins at The Masters, The Players, RBC Heritage, and Arnold Palmer Invitational.
With form akin to that of the legendary Tiger Woods at the height of his career, world number one Scheffler is the overwhelming leader atop the FedEx Cup standings. After welcoming their first child over the weekend, the 27-year-old and his wife Meredith are not present at Quail Hollow in North Carolina this week.
However, he will return to competition at Valhalla, where he is a strong favorite to win his third major. McIlroy is aware that to beat the American in Kentucky the following week, nearly flawless play will probably be needed.
Luckily for McIlroy, who is making his way back to the location of his last major championship victory ten years ago, he is extremely pleased with how his game is developing.
“I’ve been playing really well the last two days, which is a continuation of how I felt in New Orleans,” he said, leaning heavily on the driver and driving the ball exceptionally well. “I’ve played well here in the past and feel really at ease on the golf course. Seeing the crowds’ support is incredible, and I’m looking forward to working on it for another day.
“There’s something about comfortable spaces and places where you’ve previously achieved success. I’ve been here for fifteen years, and despite all the experiences, I feel so at ease here because, in some small way, it’s all about you.
“I must go play another strong round of golf, just as I have the past three days. The course doesn’t get any easier if I do that; instead, the greens get firmer. I believe it is unrealistic to expect me to play without any bogeys, but if I can play without any bogeys tomorrow, I believe I have a great chance.”
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