Following his historic victory at Augusta National, Rory McIlroy has emerged as the clear favorite for the upcoming PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. The Northern Irishman, who recently ended an 11-year major championship drought with his Masters win, has seen his odds strengthen considerably in recent weeks.
McIlroy now commands +450 odds to claim the Wanamaker Trophy, a significant improvement from the 7/1 odds he held just two weeks ago. The World No. 2's surge in betting markets reflects not only his current form—having also won THE PLAYERS Championship last month—but his exceptional history at Quail Hollow, where he has triumphed four times throughout his career.
The stars appear to be aligning for McIlroy to secure back-to-back major championships, though he'll face stiff competition from World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who sits just behind at +500. While Scheffler hasn't yet captured a PGA Championship, his consistency at this tournament is remarkable—four Top-8 finishes in five appearances, including a runner-up result in 2023.
According to Statbet analysis, the betting trends for past PGA Championships suggest favorites have a strong record, with seven of the last eight champions closing with odds of 35/1 or shorter. Brooks Koepka, a multiple winner of this event, has previously won with odds of 18/1, 10/1, and 20/1.
However, the tournament has also produced some stunning longshot victories over the past two decades. Phil Mickelson defied 200/1 odds to lift the trophy in 2021, while Keegan Bradley shocked the golfing world at 150/1 in 2011. These historical upsets serve as a reminder that while the focus remains on McIlroy and Scheffler, the deep field at Quail Hollow could yet produce a surprise champion.
As the golfing world shifts its attention from Augusta to Quail Hollow, McIlroy's momentous Masters victory has clearly positioned him as the man to beat in this year's second major championship.
