MajorsBrian KeoghValhalla Golf ClubRory McIlroy, US PGA

Remembering Rory McIlroy’s 2014 PGA Championship win ten years on

MajorsBrian KeoghValhalla Golf ClubRory McIlroy, US PGA
Remembering Rory McIlroy’s 2014 PGA Championship win ten years on

LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 14: Rory McIlroy on the practice range during the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/PGA of America)

It perhaps came as no surprise that Scottie Scheffler won the first major championship of the year at Augusta, winning the Masters by four shots from Ludvig Aberg in what turned out to be a victory procession.

The American headed into the showpiece event having won two PGA Tour events while occupying top spot in the Official World Golf Rankings, indicating he was the man to beat.

Once the green jacket slipped onto Scheffler’s shoulders, talk turned to the second major of the year – the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Course.

2024 PGA Championship betting odds

With regards to US PGA betting, Scheffler is the undisputed favourite to claim his third major title, and second this season, as he currently sits at odds of +350 to prevail in Kentucky.

Rory McIlroy is the second favourite to claim a third PGA Championship title at golf odds of +900, yet these look generous considering his poor display at the Masters, which saw him finish in a tie for 22nd.

Surprisingly, Jon Rahm is the third favourite to win the US PGA at odds of +1400, which given his recent form, would be a big shock.

The focus will certainly be on Scheffler, but this is a venue that McIlroy knows all too well, winning his fourth major title there ten years ago.

Rory McIlroy won a dramatic PGA title in 2014

McIlroy entered 2014 having won just one event since November 2012 – the 2013 Australian Open – and clearly had high hopes about returning to winning ways on both the PGA and European tours.

Things weren’t going too well until he secured a stunning comeback victory at the 2014 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in May, with the victory proving to be the catalyst for more success.

Indeed, the Northern Irishman headed into Valhalla, the host of the 2014 US PGA, having won the Open Championship along with the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Opening rounds of 66 and 67 ensured McIlroy led the event heading into the weekend, one shot clear of Jim Furyk and Jason Day, although it wasn’t going to be plain sailing.

A second consecutive 67 meant the three-time major champion went into the final round as the leader, but Sunday proved to be anything but straightforward.

A weather delay meant the final round was postponed for several hours. By the time the players started, it was clear they would have a race to finish before darkness fell.

Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler enjoyed wonderful starts as they passed McIlroy on the leaderboard heading into the back nine, as he trailed by three shots.

He reduced the deficit to one stroke by holing a wonderful eagle putt on the tenth, and by the time McIlroy reached the 18th, it was a race to the finish.

Mickelson narrowly missed a chip to tie, while Fowler also had a chance to force a playoff, but he missed a lengthy putt.



Everything was in McIlroy’s favour as he found the green from a bunker, making a two putt par in the Kentucky darkness.

2024 marks ten years since that extraordinary major and it would be fitting should the Northern Irishman repeat the trick this year.