Rory McIlroy could kick on from his Masters success and go on a run of major victories starting with this week's PGA Championship, believes Jon Rahm.

McIlroy finally ended an 11-year wait to win his fifth major title – and complete a career Grand Slam – by beating Justin Rose in a play-off at Augusta National last month.

The Northern Irishman could now become just the third golfer this century to start a year with back-to-back major triumphs, after Tiger Woods in 2002 and Jordan Spieth in 2015. 

McIlroy has predicted his Masters victory will enable him to play with more freedom at Quail Hollow this week, and Rahm would not be surprised if he goes on to create a dynasty.

Speaking at his pre-tournament press conference in Charlotte, Rahm backed McIlroy to replicate Xander Schauffele's two major victories at the PGA Championship and the Open last year.

"I would not be one bit surprised if this lifted a weight off his shoulders that could get him going on another run, a bit like Xander did last year," Rahm said.

"Wins one, gets another one, gets in contention many times, like Scottie [Scheffler] and many other players have done. A player of his calibre, you never know."

McIlroy endured several near-misses in his pursuit of a first Masters title, though his most haunting collapse came at the 2011 edition, shortly before he won his first major at the U.S. Open.

On that occasion, McIlroy shot an eight-over-par final round after carrying a four-shot lead into the final day, and Rahm believes that created a mental hurdle that he has finally overcome.

"To be honest, if that Masters in 2011 had gone his way, I think he would have achieved so much more than he has already," Rahm added. 

"I think it's been a very difficult hurdle to overcome. You could see his emotion towards the end just because it was his real first chance to win a major, and that's how it went down. 

"I understand he won the U.S. Open shortly after by a record margin, but every time he went to Augusta, that was on his mind.

"When you see Rory's game, every time I go down to Augusta National, I'm like, 'if there's ever a golf course that is perfect for this man who can hit a high draw on command better than anybody else, has great hands and great touch, it's him'."