Rory McIlroy in full flow is the one to fear, warns Jordan Spieth

There’s only one thing that Jordan Spieth fears more that Quail Hollow’s cloying bermuda rough and rock hard greens and that’s Rory McIlroy in full flow.

Facing a rain-softened track that measures 7,600 yards from the tips, the Open champion may be giving up as much as 30 yards off the tee to McIlroy in a US PGA Championship that could go down in history should he win it and become the youngest to win the career Grand Slam.

McIlroy’s record of two wins and four top tens in seven appearances makes him the betting favourite but having gone three years without a major win, he’s at a distinct disadvantage to Spieth, who captured his third major in such dramatic fashion at Royal Birkdale little more than a fortnight ago.