By Mark Schlabach
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Quail Hollow Club, one of the longest courses on the PGA Tour, is set to host the year`s second major championship, the PGA Championship, featuring the strongest field in men`s professional golf.
Coming off his Masters victory last month, which completed his career Grand Slam, Rory McIlroy is arguably the player to watch at Quail Hollow, a venue where he has won four times previously. He aims to be the first player since Jack Nicklaus in 1975 to win both the Masters and the PGA Championship in the same season.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler recently secured his first win of the season, as did LIV Golf`s Bryson DeChambeau, who will be looking to bounce back from a challenging Sunday at the Masters by claiming his third major title.
Defending PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele, who won two majors in 2024 before a rib injury slowed him down, is the only golfer with a top-10 finish in each of the last five majors. He has the chance to become the only player in the last 60 years to win his first three majors within a five-start span.
Here`s a breakdown of the 156-player field, categorized into groups from the top favorites to club professionals:
Tier I: The Clear Favorites
The top golfers in the world are competing fiercely, though Scottie Scheffler holds a slight edge as the betting favorite over Rory McIlroy this week. McIlroy, however, is a significant focus after his breakthrough Masters win, heading to one of his most successful courses, Quail Hollow. Only five golfers in the last 70 years have won the first two majors of the season: Ben Hogan (1953), Arnold Palmer (1960), Jack Nicklaus (1972), Tiger Woods (2002), and Jordan Spieth (2015).
Rory McIlroy
The newest member of golf`s elite Grand Slam club returns to a course that feels like home. He`s the only four-time champion of the Wells Fargo Championship (now Truist Championship) at Quail Hollow, with wins by margins of five (2024), one (2021), seven (2015), and four (2010) strokes. He set the course record with a 10-under 61 in 2015. Quail Hollow`s layout favors long hitters, and McIlroy ranked third in driving distance heading into last week with a 317.5-yard average.
Scottie Scheffler
The world No. 1 didn`t go winless for long. After nine global victories in 2024, Scheffler earned his first 2025 title at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on May 4, winning by eight shots and matching the PGA Tour`s 72-hole scoring record at 31-under 253. Scheffler`s only prior competitive experience at Quail Hollow was the 2022 Presidents Cup, where he had a 0-3-1 record in the U.S. team`s win.
Tier II: The Guys Who Can Win
These are the other strong contenders capable of lifting the Wanamaker Trophy. They possess the game, resilience, and composure needed for four demanding rounds.
Xander Schauffele
The defending PGA Championship winner was runner-up in his last two starts at Quail Hollow, finishing behind Wyndham Clark by four strokes in 2023 and Rory McIlroy by five last season. Schauffele is regaining form after a rib injury. Recent results are promising: T12 at Valspar, 8th at the Masters, 18th at RBC Heritage, and 11th at the Truist Championship. The two-time major winner hits the ball far enough and excels with long irons.
Bryson DeChambeau
DeChambeau has a solid history at the Wells Fargo Championship, finishing solo fourth in 2018 and T9 in 2021. He came close to winning last year`s PGA Championship at Valhalla, finishing just one stroke behind Schauffele. With his exceptional length off the tee (leading LIV Golf with a 333.3-yard average) and recent form (T5 at Masters, win at LIV Korea), DeChambeau is expected to be in contention.
Justin Thomas
The two-time PGA Championship winner ended a nearly three-year winless streak with a playoff victory at the RBC Heritage on April 20. He won his first Wanamaker Trophy at Quail Hollow in 2017 by two strokes. Quail Hollow is forgiving of his occasional driving inaccuracy (57.8% fairway hit percentage), and his putting has been sharp this season.
Collin Morikawa
A two-time runner-up this season, Morikawa is due for a win (his last PGA Tour victory was the Zozo Championship in October 2023). The 2020 PGA Championship winner tied for fourth in the event last year.
Ludvig Åberg
The rising star won the Genesis Invitational, a signature event, and finished seventh at the Masters. However, he also has missed two cuts and tied for 54th at RBC Heritage and 60th at the Truist Championship. Concerns remain about his iron play and putting (131st in strokes gained: approach, 149th in putting).
Brooks Koepka
The five-time major champion hasn`t displayed his `Big-Game Brooks` form in majors since winning his third Wanamaker Trophy at the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill. He hasn`t finished in the top 15 in his last seven major starts, including a missed cut at the Masters in April.
Justin Rose
Rose is coming off heartbreaking runner-up finishes at last year`s Open Championship and the Masters (where he lost to McIlroy in a playoff). The 44-year-old doesn`t drive as long as he used to, but it hasn`t significantly hampered his play; he has five consecutive top-15 finishes in the PGA Championship. Rose withdrew from the Truist Championship before the third round due to illness.
Jon Rahm
Rahm has consistently finished in the top 10 in all seven of his LIV Golf League starts this season and tied for 14th at the Masters. In last year`s PGA Championship, he was 4 over through six holes but almost recovered to make the cut. It was his first missed cut at a major since the 2019 PGA Championship.
Hideki Matsuyama
The 2021 Masters champion was in contention at the 2017 PGA Championship before four bogeys on the back nine. He earned his 11th PGA Tour win at the Sentry in Hawaii to start the season.
Viktor Hovland
The 2023 FedEx Cup champion appears to have resolved his swing issues after winning the Valspar Championship, T21 at the Masters, and 13th at the RBC Heritage. He tied for third at the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship, two strokes behind McIlroy.
Joaquín Niemann
The highly talented Niemann is still seeking his first top-10 finish in a major in what will be his 24th start in the big four events. He has already won three times on the LIV Golf League this season.
Tyrrell Hatton
Hatton has performed well in the PGA Championship with five top-25s, including two top-10s, in 10 starts. He has won two DP World Tour events since October: the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
Patrick Reed
Reed made a final-round charge to finish third at the Masters and is certainly capable of being in the mix at Quail Hollow. In the 2017 PGA Championship, three back-nine birdies brought him within one shot of the lead before a bogey on the last hole left him T2, two strokes behind Thomas. Reed has two top-10s at the Wells Fargo Championship (2018, 2021).
Tommy Fleetwood
An 11-time winner worldwide, Fleetwood is still searching for his first PGA Tour victory. He has finished in the top 25 in nine of his last 13 major starts.
Jordan Spieth
Spieth could join McIlroy in completing the career Grand Slam by winning The Open Championship (Claret Jug). He won the Masters and U.S. Open in 2015 and The Open in 2017. When Spieth congratulated McIlroy last week, Rory reportedly told him he was next. Spieth`s reply, according to Golf.com, was “Yeah, at Rory McIlroy Country Club.” Spieth went 5-0-0 at Quail Hollow in the 2022 Presidents Cup.
Patrick Cantlay
Cantlay hasn`t won on tour in over two years and is still seeking his first major championship. His driving and iron play (ninth in strokes gained: tee to green, 1.111) have been strong enough to win this season.
Shane Lowry
The Irishman`s biggest major focus will likely be The Open returning to Royal Portrush in July, where he won in 2019. He has played consistently well all season, including a tie for second at the Truist Championship.
Russell Henley
Henley might not be the longest hitter, but his driving accuracy, excellent iron play, and solid putting helped him tie for 10th at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Wyndham Clark
Clark`s results in majors haven`t been stellar since his surprising win at the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, and his form has been inconsistent this season. However, he hits the ball very far and won the Wells Fargo Championship two years ago.
Jason Day
Day won the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits and the 2018 Wells Fargo Championship. He tied for fourth at Quail Hollow last year. Day withdrew from last week`s Truist Championship for undisclosed reasons.
Tier III: If Everything Goes Right
These are the sleeper candidates for the PGA Championship. This group includes former major winners, winners on tour this season, and players who have made significant comebacks.
Sungjae Im
Im missed the cut in four of his last five PGA Championship starts, but finished in the top 10 in the previous two majors: T7 at the 2024 Open Championship and 5th at the Masters. He has two top-10 finishes in his last two starts at Quail Hollow.
Keegan Bradley
The U.S. Ryder Cup captain and 2011 PGA Championship winner had a strong start on the West Coast, tied for fifth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but missed the cut at Augusta National. He has made the cut in nine of his last 10 PGA Championship starts.
Harris English
The five-time PGA Tour winner has found more success in the U.S. Open, but Quail Hollow suits his game. He tied for third at 12 under at the 2023 Wells Fargo Championship.
Sepp Straka
Straka`s major breakthrough was a T7 at the 2023 PGA Championship. He tied for eighth at Quail Hollow last year. He`s coming off his fourth career PGA Tour win at the Truist Championship. Can he win back-to-back?
Maverick McNealy
The new co-chairman of the PGA Tour Player Advisory Council holds a degree in management science and engineering and possesses an excellent swing.
Thomas Detry
Detry tied for fourth at last year`s PGA Championship, his best major finish. This will be his first professional event at Quail Hollow.
Rasmus Højgaard
A PGA Tour rookie, Højgaard has won five times on the DP World Tour, including the Irish Open last September. He and his twin brother, Nicolai, finished second in the Zurich Classic team event. Rasmus is second in the European Ryder Cup standings, behind McIlroy.
Brian Harman
After a slow start, Harman secured his fourth PGA Tour win at the Valero Texas Open on April 20. He tied for 13th in the 2017 PGA Championship.
Robert MacIntyre
MacIntyre`s T8 at last year`s PGA Championship lifted him after a period of homesickness. It likely spurred his two subsequent wins at the RBC Canadian Open and Genesis Scottish Open.
Corey Conners
The Canadian golfer has finished in the top 10 in two of the last three majors: T9 at the 2024 U.S. Open and 8th at the Masters. He has finished in the top 15 in his last two Wells Fargo Championship starts.
Andrew Novak
The 30-year-old is playing his best professional golf and secured his first PGA Tour win with Ben Griffin at the Zurich Classic. This is only his second major appearance.
Sam Burns
Burns seems to have overcome his major struggles, tying for ninth at the 2024 U.S. Open. He tied for 13th at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Cameron Smith
Another former major champion with little history at Quail Hollow, Smith has shown improved form in the LIV Golf League recently with three consecutive top-10 finishes.
Min Woo Lee
It`s time for Lee to perform well in a major again. He missed the cut at The Open in 2024 and finished 49th at the Masters.
Daniel Berger
Berger, who dealt with a back injury for much of the past two seasons, is set to return to the PGA Championship for the first time since missing the cut in 2022.
Michael Kim
Kim`s impressive comeback continues; he tied for 27th at Augusta National, his first major cut made since The Open in 2018 (T35). Kim withdrew from the Truist Championship during the third round due to a back injury.
Max Homa
Few golfers have faced the form and confidence challenges Homa has over the past year. However, he is a two-time Wells Fargo Championship winner (2019, 2022) and showed promise with a T12 finish at the Masters.
Matt Fitzpatrick
The former U.S. Open champion recently described his season as `rubbish` and the `worst I`ve ever played.` His past results at Quail Hollow haven`t been strong either.
Nicolai Højgaard
Højgaard`s recent stroke-play form is concerning, with four consecutive missed cuts and a T56 at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. He is 33rd in the European Ryder Cup standings and needs to improve to make the team.
Byeong Hun An
The South Korean golfer could be a dark horse for a top-10 finish. He won the Genesis Championship on the DP World Tour in October and finished solo third at last year`s Wells Fargo Championship.
Dustin Johnson
Johnson`s five-year exemption from winning the 2020 Masters expired, requiring a special invitation for this PGA Championship. He is currently 28th in the LIV Golf season-long standings.
Sahith Theegala
High expectations were set for Theegala this season, but he hasn`t had a top-15 finish in his first 13 starts. He is struggling with both approach shots and driving (148th in strokes gained: approach, 132nd off the tee). He withdrew from the Truist Championship in the final round due to a neck injury.
Gary Woodland
Woodland`s comeback from brain surgery is one of the sport`s best stories. He has two top-10s at Quail Hollow and still swings hard off the tee (313.3 yards).
Akshay Bhatia
Bhatia is close to a major breakthrough. He tied for third at the Players Championship, another significant event.
Tom Kim
The South Korean returns to Quail Hollow, where his enthusiasm and bold play were popular at the 2022 Presidents Cup.
Will Zalatoris
Zalatoris is still searching for form after recovering from back surgery. He has fallen to 74th in the world rankings.
Nick Taylor
Taylor ended a streak of nine consecutive missed cuts in majors by tying for 40th at the Masters. The Canadian has won three times on tour in as many years.
Si Woo Kim
Kim has improved recently after missing three cuts in four events. He tied for eighth at the RBC Heritage and 15th at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
Keith Mitchell
Mitchell struggled last fall but has since posted five consecutive top-25 finishes, including a solo second at the Corales Puntacana Championship and holding the outright lead at last week`s Truist Championship. He has two top-10 finishes at Quail Hollow.
Sergio Garcia
Garcia last made the cut at the PGA Championship when he tied for 54th in 2015. He has three top-10s in the LIV Golf League this season and three top-25 finishes in his last three starts at Quail Hollow.
Aaron Rai
Rai is exceptionally accurate with driver and irons but lacks distance (174th in driving distance at 286.6 yards). He missed the cut in his last two starts at Quail Hollow.
Adam Scott
The 2013 Masters champion has 20 top-10s in 95 major starts, but only one in the last 21. He has missed the cut in three of his last four PGA Championship starts.
Tony Finau
Finau was once a consistent top-10 threat in majors but has only one (T3 at the 2024 U.S. Open) in his last 15 starts.
Mackenzie Hughes
Familiarity could help Hughes, who lives near Quail Hollow Club. He tied for ninth at the 2022 Wells Fargo Championship and sixth last year.
Lucas Glover
After strong showings in Florida (T3 at Players, 8th at Valspar), Glover has struggled recently. He won the 2011 Wells Fargo Championship in a playoff and was runner-up two years prior.
Tier IV: Hey, Miracles Happen
These are the long shots. Winning would require everything aligning perfectly over 72 holes at Quail Hollow. History shows it`s possible for underdogs to win the Wanamaker Trophy – think Y.E. Yang, Shaun Micheel, and Rich Beem.
- J.T. Poston
- Bud Cauley
- J.J. Spaun
- Phil Mickelson
- Rickie Fowler
- Sam Stevens
- David Puig
- Jake Knapp
- Patrick Rodgers
- Taylor Pendrith
- Denny McCarthy
- Tom Hoge
- Eric Cole
- Austin Eckroat
- Garrick Higgo
- Ryo Hisatsune
- Nico Echavarria
- Matt McCarty
- Ryan Fox
- Davis Thompson
- Davis Riley
- Cam Davis
- Ben Griffin
- Joe Highsmith
- Jacob Bridgeman
- Nick Dunlap
- Kurt Kitayama
- Adam Hadwin
- Lee Hodges
- Taylor Moore
- Christiaan Bezuidenhout
- Cameron Young
- Matt Wallace
- Chris Kirk
- Dean Burmester
- Brian Campbell
- Max Greyserman
- Laurie Canter
- Stephan Jager
- Eugenio Chacarra
- Thorbjørn Olesen
- Karl Vilips
- Matthieu Pavon
- Thriston Lawrence
- Erik van Rooyen
Rickie Fowler, who had dropped to 125th in the world rankings and needed a special invitation, seemed inspired at last week`s Truist Championship, sitting just two strokes off the lead after 18 holes. One of his six PGA Tour wins came at the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship, defeating D.A. Points and McIlroy in a playoff.
Phil Mickelson turns 55 next month, and his best golf is likely behind him. He became golf`s oldest major champion by winning the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island. He has 10 top-10 finishes in 17 starts at Quail Hollow, including a T5 in 2018. Among golfers with at least 20 rounds there, Mickelson ranks third in true strokes gained (2.10), behind only McIlroy (2.87) and Day (2.12).
Several players in this tier, including Campbell, Highsmith, Vilips, Higgo, and Griffin, have already won PGA Tour events this season.
Tier V: Happy to Make the Cut
This group consists of some older golfers trying to maintain their tour status and newcomers seeking more playing opportunities. They are not expected to contend unless a truly extraordinary event occurs, similar to Shaun Micheel`s win over two decades ago.
- Alex Noren
- Tom McKibbin
- Richard Bland
- Patton Kizzire
- Harry Hall
- John Catlin
- Johnny Keefer
- Séamus Power
- Luke Donald
- Ryan Gerard
- Beau Hossler
- Justin Lower
- Kevin Yu
- Jhonattan Vegas
- Max McGreevy
- Rafael Campos
- Sami Välimäki
- Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen
- Keita Nakajima
- Niklas Norgaard
- Patrick Fishburn
- Daniel van Tonder
- John Parry
- Rico Hoey
- Takumi Kanaya
- Elvis Smylie
- Victor Perez
- Marco Penge
Alex Noren, who tied for 12th in last year`s PGA Championship, made his first start of 2025 at last week`s Truist Championship after dealing with neck, hamstring, and glute injuries.
At 52, Richard Bland is the second-oldest player in the LIV Golf League. He is still playing reasonably well, ranking 17th in points and finishing in the top 12 in his last two events.
Tom McKibbin, 22, played at the same club as McIlroy in Northern Ireland. He reportedly disregarded McIlroy`s advice by joining Rahm`s Legion XIII team. He is one of the longest hitters in LIV Golf (322.2-yard average) but has significantly struggled with his putting.
Tier VI: Past Champions
This list includes former PGA Championship winners not ranked in the tiers above. Past champions receive a lifetime exemption into the major. Notable names like John Daly (1991) and Rich Beem (2002) have played in the past, as has Tiger Woods, who is currently recovering from an injury.
- Martin Kaymer
- Jimmy Walker
- Jason Dufner
- Padraig Harrington
- Vijay Singh
- Shaun Micheel
John Daly is skipping the PGA Championship to compete in the Regions Tradition, a senior major. Daly withdrew from last year`s PGA Championship after an opening-round 82.
Rich Beem stated he hasn`t had sufficient preparation time due to his work as an analyst. Beem missed the cut last year after struggling in the first 36 holes, admitting he “got my [butt] handed to me.”
Tier VII: PGA of America Professionals
These are the top-20 finishers from the PGA Professional Championship held April 27-30 in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
- Tyler Collet
- Jesse Droemer
- Brian Bergstol
- Michael Block
- Dylan Newman
- Brandon Bingaman
- Ryan Lenahan
- Andre Chi
- John Somers
- Justin Hicks
- Rupe Taylor
- Tom Johnson
- Nic Ishee
- Eric Steger
- Bob Sowards
- Bobby Gates
- Greg Koch
- Timothy Wiseman
- Larkin Gross
- Michael Kartrude
This list includes Michael Block, who was a sensation at the 2023 PGA Championship, making a final-round hole-in-one and tying for 15th (1-over 281). This was the best finish by a club professional since Lonnie Nielsen tied for 11th in 1986.
Tyler Collet, from Vero Beach, Florida, dominated the PGA Professional Championship with a 10-stroke victory, the largest margin in the event`s history. This will be his fourth PGA Championship appearance. Collet played college golf at Eastern Kentucky.
