Rory McIlroy brings ‘A’ game to Baltusrol

Rory McIlroy is looking to kick out of neutral and hit top gear as he aims to transform a “B-minus” season into an A-plus campaign at this week’s PGA Championship.

The world number four, without a major since the second of his PGA victories at Valhalla two years ago, believes the final major of the year, starting at Baltusrol Golf Club tomorrow, represents his best chance this season of a fifth major title.

The 27-year-old from Holywood is coming off a tie for fifth at The Open two weeks ago, a distant 16 shots behind champion golfer Henrik Stenson but re-energised by a week’s practice with coach Michael Bannon and looking forward to returning to the US parkland challenge Baltusrol will provide.