With a recent return to form and a formidable record at Quail Hollow, Rory McIlroy isn't suprised to his is odds firm into heavy favourite at this week's US PGA Championship.
The world No.4's history at North Carolina's Quail Hollow course, which traditionally hosts the US PGA Tour's Wells Fargo Championship, includes wins in 2015 and 2010, a runner-up and three top-10s from seven starts.
The Northern Irishman also shot an 11-under-par 61 during his 2015 win to set course record, but with several design changes Quail Hollow will play as a par 71 this week.
With two PGA Championship titles to his name, betting agencies have established four-time major champion McIlroy as the odds-on favourite over No.2 Jordan Spieth.
"Sounds like decent value," said McIlroy on Tuesday.
"I've had a lot of success here before. I've always played well here. I've always felt comfortable on this golf course."
After a season interrupted by 10 weeks on the sidelines nursing a rib injury and the sacking of long-term caddie JP Fitzgerald, the 28-year-old has turned his form; bagging top-five finishes at the British Open and last week's WGC-Bridgestone.
"I'm showing up for this week feeling like my game is in good shape with the upturn in form I've had over the last few weeks," said McIlroy.
"I feel like everything's settled and my health is where it needs to be."
But McIlroy knows major threats will come in the form of world No.3 Hideki Matsuyama and Spieth.
Japan's Matsuyama blitzed the field for a five-shot win at last week's WGC event courtesy of a course-record equalling 61 during the final round at Ohio's Firestone Country Club.
"What Hideki did on Sunday was pretty impressive. His confidence is high coming here and I'm pretty sure he'll be a factor this week," said McIlroy.
The 24-year-old Spieth, who won the 2015 Masters and US Open, booked his chance to complete the career grand slam with a three-shot victory at last month's British Open.
"Jordan has got this resilience where he gets himself in positions in tournaments where you don't think he can come back from, and he does. It's awfully impressive," said McIlroy.
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