Rory McIlroy has been tipped to secure back-to-back major titles after a supercomputer predicted the Northern Irishman to dominate the PGA Championship.
Data analysts at BetVictor Casino deployed the advanced simulation software to project the outcomes for the season’s second major at Aronimink in Pennsylvania.
According to the model – who made the prediction prior to news that he had pulled out of the practice rounds due to a toe injury – McIlroy will continue his blistering form after winning the Green Jacket in April, finishing the tournament at 14-under-par.
The four-time major winner holds a significant 18.5 percent chance to claim victory, making him the favorite to lift the Wanamaker Trophy.
However, the simulation also suggests that it won’t be a cakewalk for McIlroy, with Cameron Young projected to finish just two strokes behind him at 12-under.
Young has been in red-hot form recently, having secured a win at the Cadillac Championship and a tied-third finish at The Masters last month.
Rory McIlroy has been predicted to dominate the PGA Championship taking place next week
Data analysts deployed the advanced simulation software to project the outcomes for the season’s second major at Aronimink in Pennsylvania
The supercomputer gives the American star a 9.2 percent chance of glory, as he looks to finally break through and secure his maiden major championship title.
Defending champion and world number one Scottie Scheffler is also expected to be in the hunt, with an 8.1 percent likelihood of winning his fifth major.
Scheffler is projected to finish in solo third at 11-under-par, narrowly trailing the lead duo in what analysts expect to be a tightly contested leaderboard.
European fans have plenty to look forward to, as Ludvig Aberg and Jon Rahm are both tipped for strong showings. They have a 6.5 percent and 4.2 percent chance of winning, respectively.
Matt Fitzpatrick is projected to secure another top-10 finish at 7-under-par, coming off the back of his recent victory at the RBC Heritage.
Tommy Fleetwood is also tipped to finish alongside Fitzpatrick in a tie for ninth, while veteran Justin Rose is projected for an 11th-place finish.
The model suggests Bryson DeChambeau will brush away questions regarding LIV Golf by securing a top-five finish with a 6.5 percent chance of winning.
Conversely, it appears to be an underwhelming week for Shane Lowry, who is projected to finish even par with just a 0.4 percent chance of victory.
American star Cameron Young is projected to finish just two strokes behind him at 12-under
Defending champion and world number one Scottie Scheffler is also expected to be in the hunt
The supercomputer’s prediction comes shortly after McIlroy ruled himself fit from the ‘toe-gate’ concerns that saw him abort his PGA Championship practice rounds.
The world No 2 has been struggling with the aftereffects of a blister on his right pinky toe for the past week, which included a misguided attempt of self-surgery when he ripped off the toenail on Monday.
The discomfort around that issue saw him walk in from the course prematurely earlier in the week, but McIlroy tweaked his footwear and completed nine holes at Aronimink Golf Club on Wednesday before insisting the problem won’t be a factor at the season’s second major.
The Masters champion said: ‘It’s fine. I felt very soft having to walk in because of a little toe but I figured it out by separating the little toe from the other ones and having a bit of cushion around it definitely helps. I have also gone to a bigger shoe (by half a size) and a different style, which is a little softer and wider in the toe box.
‘Yesterday was painful but today I was pleasantly surprised by how good it felt.
‘It is not a shot type (that causes the pain). It is just walking downhill when your foot slides into the end of your shoe. That is when it gives me a bit of bother but it is totally fine.’
