Rory McIlroy Eyes Historic 7th Major at PGA Championship

Rory McIlroy's tournament looked doomed after Thursday's opening round at the PGA Championship, when he sat tied for 105th place. But the 2025 Masters champion has clawed his way back into contention, now sitting three strokes off the lead and ready to etch his name in golf's record books.

McIlroy fired rounds of 3-under and 4-under on Friday and Saturday to vault into a tie for seventh at 3-under overall. If he captures the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday at Aronimink Golf Club, he'll become just the ninth golfer ever to win the year's first two major championships.

The last player to accomplish that feat was Jordan Spieth in 2015, when he won the Masters and U.S. Open. Before Spieth, Tiger Woods did it in 2002, and only two other golfers have managed it in the past 70 years.

A Sunday victory would also make McIlroy just the second golfer since 2000 to win back-to-back majors twice in his career. He previously captured consecutive major titles in 2014 with the Open Championship and PGA Championship, his last major wins until he completed his career grand slam at the 2025 Masters.

Why This Inspires

Perhaps the most meaningful record within McIlroy's reach is tying Harry Vardon for most major championships won by a European golfer. Vardon's seven majors, won between 1896 and 1914, have stood as the European benchmark for over a century.

McIlroy's seventh major would equal that mark and position him to break it outright, cementing his legacy as Europe's greatest major champion. His recent success, including completing the career grand slam last year, suggests he's entering a golden stretch of his career.

If McIlroy wins from his current position, he'll also set the record for worst opening-round position to tournament winner in major championship history. Starting tied for 105th and climbing to champion would shatter the previous mark held by Steve Jones, who won the 1996 U.S. Open after starting tied for 84th.

McIlroy's ability to bounce back from adversity has defined his recent resurgence, showing that perseverance and skill can overcome even the toughest starts.