Discipline the key to PGA Championship glory for Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm

Both world No 1 Jon Rahm and third-ranked Rory McIlroy believe a disciplined strategy around Oak Hill will be the key to success at the PGA Championship this week.

Rahm arrives in Rochester, New York for the second major amid a stunning season. The Spaniard has won four times this year, including his first Masters title, and is one of the favourites to claim his third major.

McIlroy, meanwhile, has endured a mixed season so far, starting with victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, but the Northern Irishman successive missed cuts at The Players and Masters.

"Discipline is going to be a huge factor this week," McIlroy, 34, said. "You've got to keep it out of those fairway bunkers.

"If someone can keep their discipline and not start firing at those pins and know that middles of the greens is a pretty good leave on most holes, I think that's (key)."

Oak Hill offers tricky pin locations with thick rough and shifting tee box areas to make every challenge unique.

"Discipline is a really good way to describe what one needs this week," Rahm, 28, said. "It's challenging, but it's one of those where if you hit the shots you're supposed to hit – put it in the fairway, go to the center of the green – nothing crazy should be happening.

"If you can get those up-and-downs, it's not only a confidence booster, but it's something that will keep the round going."

Rahm, the 2021 US Open champion, captured his fourth title of the year and second major last month at the Masters. He is co-favorite alongside second-ranked American Scottie Scheffler, who would overtake the Spaniard with a victory.

If Rahm wins, he would be halfway to a calendar-year Grand Slam and only an Open Championship shy of a career Slam.

Jon Rahm is one of the