Rory McIlroy reveals nightmare preparation before special triumph

has returned to Quail Hollow for the on the hunt for his fifth triumph at the prestigious course. The Northern Irishman has made a habit of winning at the North Carolina venue. And it was his victory there at the Wells Fargo Championship in 2010 that proved he was destined to reach the pinnacle of golf.

McIlroy finally completed the career Grand Slam last month as following a play-off with Justin Rose. The 36-year-old can put the honour alongside his success at the 2011 US Open, his 2014 victory at The Open and his triumphs at the PGA Championship in 2012 and 2014. But his first PGA Tour win came as a 20-year-old at Quail Hollow as he got the better of Phil Mickelson at the Wells Fargo Championship. And he achieved the feat despite the fact he had stayed up until 2am the night before the final round to watch Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley go head-to-head in a huge boxing showdown.

McIlroy was asked about his maiden victory at Quail Hollow on Wednesday ahead of the PGA Championship.

And the blockbuster star explained: "I wasn't even supposed to play this tournament in 2010. I missed the cut at the Masters and I was struggling with a bad back.

"I got an MRI scan when I went home and it showed some stress around L4-L5, and the doctor told me it's probably better if you rest for a few weeks and not play."

After admitting he hadn't performed well in his opening round, he spoke about his efforts on the Friday, where he eagled hole seven and two-putted from 60 feet on the ninth.

He went on to add: "Then I played with Scott McCarron on Saturday morning and I went out and shot 66. [The conditions] got pretty tough in the afternoon and got me into the top 10. I was excited about that, and I remember on the Saturday night there was a big boxing fight on.

"It was like Manny Pacquiao or might have been maybe Floyd Mayweather, and we went to the Del Frisco's [Steakhouse] there in South Park and we watched it at midnight.

"I remember getting to bed at like 2 am. I woke up the next day, playing with Anthony Kim, and I went out and played one of the rounds of my life and won my first PGA Tour event.

"It was an amazing day. It feels like such a long time ago, but at the same time I can remember that.

"Those things stay with you, and I think part of the reason that I've played so well here since is I had such positive momentum, those positive memories. And every time I come here, those good feelings get rekindled. It's been a good place for me."