Rory McIlroy heads into the US PGA Championship in California this afternoon keen to break a long run without winning a major.
The Down star comes into the event at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco off the back of some poor showings of late.
Two-time US PGA champion McIlroy will tee it up alongside Tiger Woods and world number one Justin Thomas just after half past four Irish time this afternoon.
Speaking on OTB AM, Golf Weekly presenter Joe Molloy says McIlroy needs to improve his recent game to be in contention this weekend.
"Certainly since Portrush in particular, and the blow up on the first hole there, there [had] been an air of... a focus to McIlroy. There's been a discernible difference.
"He won four times last year, including the PLAYERS Championship, inlcuding the TOUR Championship, and he came out this year and hit the ground running.
"He was sharp, he had seven consecutive top fives, and it looked for all the world like he was heading to Augusta and it was as close to his to lose as it can be.
"Tiger Woods was nowhere with his back, Brooks Koepka was in the mire injured, Jon Rahm hadn't won and blossomed, Justin Thomas wasn't in great form.
"It was really there for McIlroy, and then lockdown happens. He took some time off and came back and he hasn't played well.
"Paul McGinley said on the Sky Sports coverage last night that he's not quite happy with his technique.
"He hasn't looked himself. You're looking at him turning up and having found something in the last couple of days. Maybe with a player of his ilk and quality, it's as simple as a range session, and a couple of balls come off exactly the way he likes it and he sees a trajectory and he's back.
Can @McIlroyRory replicate what he did in 2015? If he does, he might just take home a third Wanamaker Trophy.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/nU754KLPYp
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 5, 2020
"But it's hard to predict that right now. He's had plenty of tournament rounds in over the last month and a half, and it just hasn't been there, he's been really sloppy.
"As ever there's a worry over his putting. He's ranked 98th in strokes gained putting, that's always an issue with McIlroy.
"But he's won [majors] four times with streaky putting. His wedge game is a worry, there was a tournament there a couple of weeks ago where he landed a five-wood from 257 yards to eight feet. And on the same day he missed three greens from about 100 yards.
"His wedge play is always a concern. Why that is I don't quite know, it's something he's worked on, at times it's much better."
Joe acknowledges though that it's hard to ever fully rule McIlroy out of the running, especially when it's major time.
"If you were to make a case for him, it's very easy. He's still number three, he's all about the majors, and this course on paper should suit him - it's long, there'll be at least four or five holes where even the big hitters will have long irons in their hands going into greens.
"And he's won here. In 2015 he won the WGC Matchplay here, so he'll have good memories. I always compare him to Koepka, and Koepka just finds a way.
"With Rory there's just too often something off. He gets things into his head. In the last 15 Majors in round one he shoots a 73 on average, he's three shots better in each of the next three rounds.
"Last year at the US PGA he was 57th at the start of the weekend, he finishes eighth.
August 25, 2019, Atlanta, GA, USA: ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 25: Brooks Koepka has a laugh with Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland prior to their start of the final round of the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire) (Credit Image: © Todd Kirkland/Icon SMI via ZUMA Press)"He's searching. Golf's not easy - clearly. He's 31 now, this is the sweet spot, a lot of the greats win majors from 30 to 35. This is probably a career-defining patch for him.
"Even he said himself he can't quite believe it's been six years without a major."
Speaking on Off The Ball last night, 2008 PGA champion Pádraig Harrington said that McIlroy is coming into this one without much pressure.
“The only positive I’m seeing is that he is under the radar. We have seen him go in Majors in the past on top form, under a lot of pressure and stress. Now he is under the radar and has a point to prove.”
“Rory has always been at his best when he wants to prove something. After a little slump and people get on his back and talk about him, he comes out stronger than ever.
“I haven’t seen any form on the golf course, but he could be at his most dangerous when he is nice, calm and relaxed going into it.
“For Justin Thomas winning last week, there is a lot of stress in winning and that can reduce your chances. Very few players can come back after the second week due to the stress levels.
“I think all the leading players just play their game, and if they do that, they’re going to win. Now Rory is somewhat looking over his shoulder at what the other top players are doing.
“The best players on that run only focus on themselves. Rory doesn’t need a fast start. He will be in contention after 62 holes if he plays his own game.”
Open winner Shane Lowry is also among the afternoon starters at the US PGA today in a group with Gary Woodland and defending champion Brooks Koepka.
Lowry goes out just after ten past four Irish time, with Graeme McDowell teeing off alongside Bubba Watson and Matthew Wolff at twenty-five past nine this evening.
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