Paige Spiranac backs Rory McIlroy to WIN PGA Championship - even after his bombshell Erica Stoll divorce

Rory McIlroy is Paige Spiranac's favorite to emerge victorious at the PGA Championship this week, even after it emerged on Monday that he is divorcing Erica Stoll after seven years of marriage.

McIlroy won the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow on Sunday by five shots, a seemingly perfect preparation for this week's event at Valhalla - where he is bidding to end his 10-year major victory drought.

But on Tuesday, it emerged the Northern Irishman had filed for divorce from Stoll after seven years of marriage.

Golf influencer Spiranac does not believe, however, that McIlroy's game will be held back by the news off the course.

In a video shared to X on Wednesday, she said: 'Everyone seems to have their money on Rory McIlroy. I can see why.

'He seems to have his swagger back after a dominating performance last week. And when Rory has confidence and a little pep in his step, there is no one who is more fun to watch play golf than him.

'But as we know, he filed for divorce on Monday. Half of the people are saying he is free and ready to go win and play a course he loves, like Valhalla. Others are saying that could put a lot of stress and pressure on him.

'I think Rory plays well when he has a little bit of a chip on his shoulder and he is my favorite for this week.'

McIlroy, 35, refused to speak about his divorce at a press conference ahead of the tournament on Wednesday but insisted he is fully ready for the tournament to begin.

'I'm ready to play this week,' he said. 'I think it's all about confidence and momentum and I have a lot of confidence and quite a bit of momentum coming into this week.

McIlroy tees off at around 8:15am local time. 

Scottie Scheffler, the Masters champion, is also among the favorites this week along with Brooks Koepka.