Rory McIlroy warms up in the practice range before a practice round at the PGA Championship. Jamie Germano/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK

NFL QB endorses Rory McIlroy at PGA Championship

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 5/17/23

Rory McIlroy's focus this week is, of course, on reversing course and topping the leaderboard at the PGA Championship this weekend. But he's probably hoping a local endorsement from Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen will bring him good luck.

With this weekend's event taking place in Western New York, Allen has a looming presence over Oak Hill Country Club -- even before he made an appearance at the course on Tuesday. But Allen didn't steal the spotlight all for himself, telling the media he hopes the Bills Mafia cheers McIlroy on this weekend.

Josh Allen hoping #BillsMafia adopts his Pro Am partner Keith Mitchell as well as Rory McIlroy this week during the #PGAChampionship at Oak Hill Country Club.
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) May 16, 2023

Support for McIlroy isn't a random thing. The Irishman's wife, Erica, grew up in a suburb of Rochester and he is very familiar with the area. He is also quite familiar with the professional football franchise that plays an hour away, telling the media: "It certainly makes it easier to root for the Bills when Josh Allen's throwing the football."

Rory McIlroy Josh Allen

The newest member of #BillsMafia. pic.twitter.com/HCZ2GxmA52
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) May 17, 2023

Perhaps having a local following to cheer him on will help McIlroy get out of the slump he has been in. The world No. 3 golfer is having a rollercoaster of a season and his most recent starts have found him far from the top of the leaderboard. After missing the cut at the Masters in April, McIlroy went on hiatus -- and had to pay for it -- before returning to finish T47 at the Wells Fargo Championship.

The PGA Championship tees off on Thursday, May 18 from the Oak Hill East Course in Pittsford, New York. McIlroy will tee off in a group with fellow PGA players Justin Thomas and Collin Morikawa at 8:11 a.m. ET.

More must-reads: