PGA Championship odds: Rory McIlroy 7/1 to win at Valhalla following Wells Fargo triumph

Rory McIlroy is 7/1 to win this week's PGA Championship after his fourth career Wells Fargo Championship.

The Northern Irishman produced a stunning back nine to reel in overnight leader Xander Schauffele on Sunday.

McIlroy trailed by two shots after seven holes, but he dug in and soon charged up the leaderboard. Four birdies and two eagles in the next eight holes then him six shots clear at the top of the leaderboard.

The 35-year-old carded a six-under 65 to beat Schauffele by five shots at Quail Hollow, where he has enjoyed plenty of success in the past. Not even a double bogey at the last could stop him from getting his hands on another PGA Tour trophy.

After winning the Zurich Classic alongside Shane Lowry two weeks ago, McIlroy has now won back-to-back titles on the PGA Tour and he will be full of confidence heading into the second major of the year.

McIlroy in confident mood

The four-time major winner has already won the PGA Championship on two occasions, and he admits he feels like the "stars are aligning" ahead of his return to Valhalla.

McIlroy won his last PGA Championship at the course in 2014, and he says he is a better player than he was when he last won a major.

"I've been sort of banging this drum for the last few years, but I'm a way better player now than I was back then," said McIlroy, looking ahead to the second men's major of the year, which is live on Sky Sports.

"I haven't had the major record to back that up, but I've had the wins; I've done everything else there is to do in the game since 2014.

The only thing I need to do is get another major. You know, a win like this going into the PGA Championship next week is a good way to prep for that."

McIlroy's recent success is nearly a mirror image to the one he enjoyed in 2014, when he won on his two starts prior to claiming a second PGA Championship title.

New dad Scheffler on the prowl

The fan-favourite will feel he has every chance of repeating the same success, but he will still need to beat world number one, Scottie Scheffler.

Scheffler's wife, Meredith, gave birth to his first child recently, and reporters in the USA expect him to tee off on Thursday.

While both of Scheffler's major triumphs have come at The Masters, he has been in incredible form in 2024, having won four of his five starts, and finishing second in the other.

Scheffler and McIlroy are the standout favourites for the second major of the year, and the latter's improvements have been remarkable in recent weeks.

Harmon's work paying off?

He finished in a share of 22nd at The Masters, having worked on his game with coach Butch Harmon.

McIlroy has yet to complete the career Grand Slam by winning his first-ever Green Jacket, but he consulted Harmon for advice on his swing after some medicore results at the start of the year.

He tied for 21st at the Cognizant Classic and Arnold Palmer Inviational, while he was 19th at the Players Championship.

Whatever Harmon said has clearly started to work wonders, thanks to his successive wins, and he will now hope to be in the frame on the final day at Valhalla.

Brooks Koepka is next in the betting at 14/1, while Ludvig Aberg will hope to maintain his recent form and give punters a run for their money at 16/1.

Koepka is the defending champion and has five majors to his name, so it promises to be a fascinating week in Louisville.

Schauffele is also 16/1 to win his first major, but after his failure to win on Sunday, there may be doubts about his chances of going all the way.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.