The golf world starts the second major of the year this week, the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. Since being moved to May in 2019, the PGA Championship has seen itself become the second major of the year, following the Masters. The PGA Championship is returning to Quail Hollow for the second time in its history, the first being in 2017, which saw Justin Thomas claim his first of two PGA Championships. Although this is only its second time holding a major, Quail Hollow has been the home of a PGA Tour event since 2003. Quail Hollow tests a player’s driving accuracy with its tight fairways and a player’s iron play with an excellent touch from the sand. Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Scottie Scheffler are just a handful of players who could see themselves taking home the PGA Championship; however, only one of them can.

Won’t win
Defending PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele has not had the season to be proud of. Since suffering a rib injury at the beginning of the year, Schauffele’s game hasn’t been in major winning form. A top-10 finish at the Masters has been Schauffele’s highlight of the year and the only of the season. Although a top ten could be in play for Schauffele at Quail Hollow, the odds of back-to-back PGA Championships seem unlikely.

Top Ten Lock
Justin Thomas won at the RBC Heritage early this year, claiming his first victory since winning the PGA Championship in 2020 in a playoff. The reason for Thomas’ career reemergence has been due to his approach to the greens. Thomas has been gaining more than a full stroke and a half on the field with iron play, something that is key to success at Quail Hollow. Despite Thomas’ success with the iron, the driver has been something that Thomas has struggled with this season and could prevent him from claiming a third PGA.

Could Win
Scottie Scheffler enters this year’s PGA looking for redemption after last year’s misfortune. Scheffler claimed his first victory of the year at the Bryan Nelson, winning by over seven shots. Scheffler’s game is tailor-made for Quail Hollow. Scheffler’s approach game is one of the best on tour, averaging just under two strokes gained on the field. Scheffler’s driver has also been a strong tool for him. With both his driver and irons being strong heading into the PGA, it could be the Scottie show for Scheffler’s third major title.

Winner
Rory McIlroy heads into the PGA looking to be the first player since Jordan Spieth in 2015 to win back-to-back majors. McIlroy finally achieved the career grand slam, winning the Masters back in April, defeating Justin Rose in a playoff. McIlroy’s game has been the best it has been in his career. McIlroy has held the Quail Hollow number, having won four times in his career. McIlroy’s strengths play at Quail Hollow, being one of the best drivers of the golf ball in the history of the PGA Tour. Along with being the best driver of the ball, McIlroy’s wedge game has gained him more than two strokes on the field. Out of McIlroy’s three wins this year, only once was both the off-the-tee and approach play less than two strokes on the field. Much like the Masters, McIlroy should be everyone’s favorite at the PGA.

All stats and information come from Data Golf as of May 13.

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