Rory McIlroy trying to stay grounded as his game starts to take full flight at PGA

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, speaks to the media during a news conference before a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Valhalla Golf Club on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, in Louisville, Ky. The tournament is set to begin on Thursday. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (The Associated Press)

Phil Mickelson hits from the fairway on the 18th hole during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Valhalla Golf Club on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, in Louisville, Ky. The tournament is set to begin on Thursday. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (The Associated Press)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Rory McIlroy is not so sure about all this chatter that he's a sure thing at the PGA Championship.

McIlroy is coming off back-to-back wins at the British Open and the Bridgestone Invitational that returned him to No. 1 in the world. He is the overwhelming favorite to make it three in a row at Valhalla.

He says if he believed everything he read, he would walk onto the first tee Thursday having already won. Even though the stories about him now are more flattering than they were at this time last year, McIlroy doesn't want to get caught up in the praise.

His goal this week at the PGA Championship is to play golf just as he has the last few weeks. And that's worked out pretty well.