2011 PGA Championship Predictions: Will Rory McIlroy Win Second Major of Year?

Rory McIlroy's win at the 2011 U.S. Open was special to watch.

The young man from Ireland took home the U.S. Open Championship Trophy and put his poor play at the Masters behind him.

With his win at Congressional Country Club and this week's PGA Championship, it is only natural that the following question is asked:

Will Rory McIlroy win a second major this year?

McIlroy has all the ingredients needed to be a champion of multiple majors.

Shortly after the U.S. Open, though, he has not displayed the type of play he is truly capable of.

Many predicted he would win the 2011 British Open, but those predictions never came true.

McIlroy's performance at Royal St. George’s was disappointing, and it was clear he was frustrated with the course. He publicly complained about the brutal weather conditions he and his peers had to endure while tackling the historic course.

McIlroy returned to the U.S. last week with hopes of better performances.

Many were surprised at the Bridgestone Invitational when McIlroy announced he planned to acquire his PGA Tour card again.

He said he really feels many of the courses on the PGA Tour fit his style of game. One of those courses is Firestone.

He had a decent showing in Akron and finished 10-under-par this past weekend at the Bridgestone Invitational.

Firestone's historic south course seemed to fit Rory's game well. It has long fairways and challenging greens. In fact, the course has a lot in common with what players will see in Atlanta.

With a nice showing last week against the best golfers in the world, McIlroy should be primed for the Atlanta Athletic Club's course.

This will be McIlroy's third PGA Championship.

He actually tied for third in the last two PGA Championships he played.

The fairways at ACC will favor the players who can drive the ball long.

Fortunately, that is one of  McIlroy's strengths. Not only does he drive the ball long, he is also accurate.

Another strength is his putting. He has great touch around the greens, and if he can garner enough control on the firm Ultra Dwarf Bermuda, he could prove to be in the hunt early.

Though McIlroy is unassuming, he does have confidence in his play. That confidence will be quite valuable during golf's final major.

The PGA Championship may have a wide-open field, but you have to believe McIlroy will be a favorite to win.

With a course that embodies the characteristics that suit his tastes, along with his driving and putting accuracy, all McIlroy needs is steady confidence in his abilities, and he will find himself well within reach of the Wanamaker Trophy.