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US PGA Championship is made for my game - McIlroy

Rory McIlroy is confident ahead of the US PGA Championship © PA Photos

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• Profile: Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy has sounded an ominous warning to rivals ahead of the US PGA Championship, claiming he feels more confident in the final major of the year than he does at any of the others.

McIlroy has enjoyed the best 12 months of his career thanks to victory at the US Open at Congressional, the first major triumph of his career. However, in typically honest fashion, the world No. 4 admits this week's US PGA Championship was the one on which he originally had his eye.

"If a guy had asked me at the start of the year before I'd won the US Open, 'What would be your best chance of winning a major?', I would have said the US PGA," McIlroy told Sky Sports News.

"It would be good. I think I've got a good chance. When you haven't won one, all you're thinking about is that first one. But if you win two in the year that would give me huge confidence going into next year."

McIlroy's reason for his confidence ahead of the Atlanta Athletic Club is based partially in recent history, and partially in the subtleties of the course that align nicely to his game.

The Northern Irishman has finished third on both his previous appearances at the US PGA, encouraging consistency for a man who now enters the tournament with experience of winning a major. He also likes a course with conditions not too affected by blustery winds, and pins that allow the occasional birdie, but only for those with a focused mind.

"I like golf courses and tournaments where eight-to ten under par usually wins, and that's the kind of score you need here," McIlroy explained. "I love how the PGA of America set the golf course up at this event.

"I think it really suits my game. It puts a premium on ball-striking and I'm looking forward to getting going. I've always thought as if this and The Masters would probably be the two that suited me most.

"I feel very comfortable in this country and playing on the types of golf courses over here. I also get a great response from the crowds - I feel the reception I get is like an American player. At Congressional I didn't let anything get to me. It would be great to be like that this week."

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