Rory McIlroy’s journey for fifth major championship title returns to Valhalla

According to Rory McIlroy, his choice of song to celebrate winning the Zurich Classic last month was a combination of limited options and knowing at least some of the words.

For those seeking some hidden meaning behind the selection of an 80s power ballad from American band Journey, the title and lyrics of karaoke classic “Don’t Stop Believin'” spoke volumes.

Belief that McIlroy will finally end his long victory drought in major championships has gradually waned as the years have passed since he won both the Open Championship and US PGA Championship in 2014.

This is not a drill. Rory McIlroy singing Don't Stop Believing pic.twitter.com/y5PkEDoqo4

— Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) April 28, 2024

There have been 20 top-10s since but around the same number of missed cuts as genuine near-misses, the most recent of the latter coming in the 2022 Open at St Andrews and last year’s US Open in Los Angeles.

Chances to win the Masters and complete the career grand slam have also been few and far between and a missed cut last year was followed with a listless share of 22nd in April as Scottie Scheffler claimed a second green jacket in the last three years.

Yet just when that belief might have been in danger of disappearing entirely, a rejuvenated McIlroy enjoyed – in every sense of the word – victory in the Zurich Classic alongside Shane Lowry and played some brilliant shots under pressure over the closing stretch.

That win prompted the unexpected demonstration of McIlroy’s vocal abilities during the tournament’s post-round concert at TPC Louisiana, where a cover band called “The Molly Ringwalds” struck PR gold thanks to the world number two and numerous social media clips going viral.

And just two weeks later, McIlroy stormed to a