Bryson DeChambeau ready for Rory McIlroy showdown at Quail Hollow

Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy are two favorites to win the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow

After a win in Korea and a strong major run, Bryson DeChambeau returns to Quail Hollow ready for a rematch with Rory McIlroy – and a shot at his first PGA Championship title.

And yet, DeChambeau is flying firmly under the radar of a certain Northern Irishman. After Rory McIlroy’s Grand Slam-clinching victory at the Masters, the questions are whether he can make it two-for-two this year, and perhaps even complete a never-been-done-before Calendar Slam. The remaining major venues sit well for McIlroy, none more so than PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, a course where he’s won more than any other venue.

The hype is real, but if Rory is to make more history, he’ll have to go through Bryson – who finished second at last year’s event – to do so.

Rory got the better of Bryson on Sunday at Augusta this year, but it was the American who triumphed in their head-to-head at Pinehurst and he’s excited for another bout:

“I do believe you have to have a lot of distance out here,” said DeChambeau at Quail Hollow. “Rory is a great driver of the golf ball and his iron play is great, too. I think it’s a golf course that sets up for his shot shapes pretty well, and I think it sets up well for mine, too. We’ll see. Maybe I do well, maybe I don’t. But I’m certainly going to give it my all, and I know Rory is. Hopefully we can have another go at it again like the Masters.”

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DeChambeau’s shaky approach play knocked him out of contention on Sunday at the Masters, but golf’s most meticulous grinder has been working hard to correct that ever since.

“I’ve been working on my irons a little bit,” he said. “I was hoping to have [new] irons by this week, but it just didn’t work out that way. I played pretty well in Mexico, played well at Augusta – well, played okay at Augusta. My irons weren’t that great. But played better in Mexico. My irons were really good in Korea. I feel like it’s moving in the right direction.

“I feel like I’m starting to swing a little bit more free. Hopefully nothing takes that away this week and I’m able to swing free out here because this is definitely a bomber’s paradise for sure.”

That victory in Korea, his first of the season, could give DeChambeau the momentum he needs to win his first PGA Championship title.

“It was very important for me to get the job done, and finishing off shooting 30 on the back nine gave me some confidence to know I can get it done under pressure,” he said. “Struggling on the front nine was not the right way for me to feel going into that last round, but that back nine kind of shored things up for me and kept me pretty comfortable. Very positive.”

Those positive vibes are bolstered by good memories from Quail Hollow.

“Quail Hollow is an amazing place. Charlotte is a great place. I love it here. I’ve always felt comfortable here. Even when I was playing here on the PGA Tour, I felt really comfortable.

“I remember, last time I played here, I thought I missed the cut and I was flying back. Flying through the air, I found out I was going to make the cut. So I landed, stayed the night at my house in Dallas, and flew back at 2:30 in the morning for my tee time. I finished seventh that week or something like that, so it was worth it.

“I have good memories here, is what I’m trying to say. It’s a lot of fun when I come back here. I’ve got some great friends around here that I’ve developed some good relationships with. It’s just a place I feel pretty comfortable.”

Beyond chasing a third major title – and a potential showdown with Rory – Bryson has another goal this week: securing his spot on the Ryder Cup team for Bethpage Black in September.

“I’ve got to keep playing good golf and hopefully I can make it on points alone.”

Flying under the radar might suit DeChambeau just fine – for now. But with his game trending, his confidence high, and his blockbuster presence on full display, he’s unlikely to stay out of the Quail Hollow spotlight for long.