CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The strongest area in males’s skilled golf is headed to Quail Hole Membership, one of many longest golf programs on the PGA Tour, for this week’s PGA Championship, the second main of the season.
Rory McIlroy, who lastly achieved {golfing} immortality by turning into the sixth golfer to complete the career Grand Slam at last month’s Masters, is likely to be the golfer to beat at Quail Hole, the place he has gained 4 instances. He’ll attempt to turn into the primary participant to win the Masters and PGA Championship in the identical yr since Jack Nicklaus in 1975.
World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler is coming off his first victory of the season, as is LIV Golf League star Bryson DeChambeau, who would in all probability prefer to erase his Sunday fade on the Masters by capturing his third main championship.
Defending PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele was slowed by a rib damage after claiming two majors in 2024. In response to ESPN Analysis, he’s the one golfer who completed within the prime 10 in every of the previous 5 majors, and he’ll look to turn into the one participant previously 60 years to win his first three majors in a five-start stretch.
This is a have a look at the 156-player area, from the favorites and guys who can win to the previous champions and 20 PGA of America membership professionals:
Watch to PGA Championship on ESPN and ESPN+
Bounce to a bit:
The clear favorites | Guys who can win | If everything goes right
Miracles happen | Happy to make the cut | Past champions | PGA professionals
Tier I: The clear favorites
The most effective golfers on this planet are not chasing Scottie Scheffler anymore — although he is a slight betting favorite over Rory McIlroy heading into the week. The most important goal is likely to be on McIlroy’s again after he gained an elusive inexperienced jacket on the Masters and heads to Quail Hole Membership, certainly one of his favourite golf programs on this planet. Prior to now 70 years, solely 5 golfers have gained the primary two majors of the season: Ben Hogan (1953), Arnold Palmer (1960), Jack Nicklaus (1972), Tiger Woods (2002) and Jordan Spieth (2015).
Rory McIlroy
The most recent member {of professional} golf’s most unique membership is returning to what has been his blissful place. He’s the one four-time winner of the Wells Fargo Championship (now the Truist Championship) at Quail Hole Membership. He gained by 5 strokes in 2024, one in 2021, seven in 2015 and 4 in 2010. He set the course report with a 10-under 61 in 2015. Did I point out the course favors large hitters off the tee? McIlroy was averaging 317.5 yards heading into final week, third within the area.
Scottie Scheffler
You did not assume the world No. 1 golfer would go a whole season and not using a victory, did you? After successful 9 instances world wide in 2024, Scheffler picked up his first victory on the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on Could 4, successful by a whopping eight photographs and tying the PGA Tour 72-hole scoring report at 31-under 253. Scheffler’s solely earlier competitors at Quail Hole was the 2022 Presidents Cup; he went 0-3-1 within the U.S. group’s 17 ½-12 ½ victory.
Tier II: The fellows who can win
Listed here are the opposite reputable contenders to win the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday. They’ve the video games, guts and nerves to deal with 4 pressure-packed rounds.
Xander Schauffele
The defending PGA Championship winner was runner-up in his previous two begins at Quail Hole, shedding to Wyndham Clark by 4 strokes in 2023 and McIlroy by 5 final season. Schauffele is slowly working his approach again into type since being sidelined due to a rib damage. His latest outcomes have been encouraging — he tied for twelfth on the Valspar Championship, eighth on the Masters and 18th on the RBC Heritage and for eleventh on the Truist Championship. The 2-time main championship winner hits it far sufficient off the tee and is among the higher gamers on tour with a protracted iron in his arms.
Bryson DeChambeau
DeChambeau had a fairly good monitor report within the Wells Fargo Championship, ending solo fourth in 2018 and tying for ninth in 2021. He almost chased down Schauffele in final yr’s PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Membership in Louisville, Kentucky, shedding by one stroke. Given DeChambeau’s size off the tee (he leads the LIV Golf League with a 333.3-yard common) and up to date type (he tied for fifth on the Masters and won the most recent LIV Golf event in Korea), DeChambeau needs to be again within the combine at a serious.
The 2-time PGA Championship winner ended his almost three-year winless drought with a playoff win at the RBC Heritage on April 20. He captured his first Wanamaker Trophy with a two-stroke victory at Quail Hole in 2017. Thomas will not be penalized as a lot for his inaccuracy off the tee (57.8%), and his putter has been sizzling for a lot of the season.
A two-time runner-up this season, Morikawa is on the clock to finish his winless streak (his final victory on tour got here on the Zozo Championship in October 2023). The 2020 PGA Championship winner tied for fourth within the occasion final yr.
The budding celebrity won a signature event at the Genesis Invitational and was seventh on the Masters, however he additionally had a pair of missed cuts and tied for 54th on the RBC Heritage and for sixtieth on the Truist Championship. His iron play and work on greens have been suspect; he is 131st in strokes gained: strategy (-.214) and 149th in placing (-.358).
The five-time main champion has hardly performed like “Large-Recreation Brooks” in majors since amassing his third Wanamaker Trophy within the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Nation Membership in Pittsford, New York. He hasn’t completed within the prime 15 in his previous seven begins in majors, together with a missed minimize on the Masters.
Rose is coming off heartbreaking runner-up finishes ultimately yr’s Open Championship and the Masters, the place he misplaced to McIlroy in a playoff. The 44-year-old would not hit as far off the tee as he as soon as did, however that hasn’t affected his play an excessive amount of — he has 5 straight top-15 finishes within the PGA Championship. Rose withdrew from the Truist Championship with an sickness earlier than the third spherical.
Rahm hasn’t completed exterior the highest 10 in seven begins within the LIV Golf League this season, and he tied for 14th on the Masters. In final yr’s PGA Championship, he was 4 over after six holes and almost battled again to make the minimize. It was his first missed minimize at a serious because the 2019 PGA Championship.
The 2021 Masters champion was in competition on the 2017 PGA Championship earlier than he carded 4 bogeys in six holes on the again 9. He collected his eleventh PGA Tour victory at The Sentry in Hawaii within the season opener.
Hovland, the 2023 FedEx Cup champion, appears to have discovered his swing after successful the Valspar Championship, tying for twenty first on the Masters and thirteenth on the RBC Heritage. He tied for third on the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship, two strokes behind McIlroy.
The ultra-talented Niemann remains to be looking for his first top-10 end in a serious in what will probably be his twenty fourth begin within the large 4. He has already gained thrice within the LIV Golf League this season.
Hatton has carried out properly within the PGA Championship with 5 prime 25s and two prime 10s in 10 begins. He completed first in two occasions on the DP World Tour since October — the Alfred Dunhill Hyperlinks Championship and Hero Dubai Desert Traditional.
Reed made a Sunday cost to complete third on the Masters, and he is greater than able to getting within the combine at Quail Hole. Within the 2017 PGA Championship, he made three birdies on the again 9 to get inside one shot of the lead, however a bogey on the final gap left him in a tie for second, two strokes behind Thomas. Reed had prime 10s in two of his begins on the Wells Fargo Championship in 2018 and 2021.
An 11-time winner world wide, Fleetwood remains to be in search of his first PGA Tour victory. He completed within the prime 25 in 9 of his previous 13 begins in majors.
Jordan Spieth
Spieth can be a part of McIlroy in finishing the profession Grand Slam by successful a Claret Jug. Spieth gained the Masters and U.S. Open in 2015 and The Open two years later. When Spieth congratulated McIlroy ultimately week’s Truist Championship, McIlroy instructed him he was subsequent. Spieth’s response, in line with Golf.com’s Jack Hirsh, “Yeah, at Rory McIlroy Nation Membership.” Spieth went 5-0-0 at Quail Hole within the 2022 Presidents Cup.
Cantlay hasn’t gained on tour in additional than two years and remains to be looking for his first main championship victory. His driving and iron play — he is ninth in strokes gained: tee to inexperienced (1.111) — have been adequate to win this season.
The Irishman’s greatest main championship will are available in July when The Open returns to Royal Portrush in Northern Eire, the place he hoisted a Claret Jug in 2019. He has performed persistently properly all season, together with a tie for second on the Truist Championship.
Henley may not hit the ball far sufficient off the tee, however his driving accuracy, spectacular iron play and stable placing helped him tie for tenth within the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Wyndham Clark
Clark’s leads to majors have not been nice since he unexpectedly gained the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Nation Membership, and his type has been up and down all season. Nonetheless, he bombs the ball off the tee and gained the Wells Fargo Championship two years in the past.
Day gained the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin and the 2018 Wells Fargo Championship. He tied for fourth at Quail Hole final yr. Day withdrew from last week’s Truist Championship for unspecified causes.
Tier III: If every little thing goes proper
Listed here are the sleeper candidates to win the PGA Championship. This tier features a few earlier main champions, winners on tour this season and a handful of gamers who’ve made comebacks this season.
Im missed the minimize in 4 of his previous 5 begins within the PGA Championship, however completed within the prime 10 previously two majors, tying for seventh on the 2024 Open Championship and fifth on the Masters. He had prime 10s in his previous two begins at Quail Hole.
The U.S. Ryder Cup group captain, who gained the 2011 PGA Championship, had a pleasant begin on the West Coast and tied for fifth on the Arnold Palmer Invitational earlier than lacking the minimize at Augusta Nationwide. He made the minimize in 9 of his previous 10 begins within the PGA Championship.
The five-time PGA Tour winner has loved extra success within the U.S. Open, however Quail Hole has suited his eye. He tied for third at 12 below within the 2023 Wells Fargo Championship.
Straka’s breakthrough in a serious got here with a tie for seventh on the 2023 PGA Championship. He tied for eighth at Quail Hole final yr. He is coming off his fourth profession PGA Tour victory at the Truist Championship. Can he win two weeks in a row?
The brand new co-chairman of the PGA Tour Participant Advisory Council has a level in administration science and engineering. He has a fairly candy swing, too.
Detry tied for fourth ultimately yr’s PGA Championship, his greatest end in a serious. It is going to be his first skilled occasion at Quail Hole.
A PGA Tour rookie this season, Højgaard gained 5 instances on the DP World Tour, together with the Irish Open in September. He and his an identical twin brother, Nicolai, completed second within the Zurich Traditional of New Orleans group occasion. Rasmus is second within the European Ryder Cup group standings, behind solely McIlroy.
After a gradual begin to the season, Harman picked up his fourth PGA Tour victory on the Valero Texas Open on April 20. He tied for thirteenth within the 2017 PGA Championship.
MacIntyre’s tie for eighth ultimately yr’s PGA Championship bought him out of the dumps from being homesick. It in all probability propelled him to 2 victories on the RBC Canadian Open and the Genesis Scottish Open, too.
The Canadian golfer completed within the prime 10 in two of the previous three majors — he tied for ninth on the 2024 U.S. Open and eighth on the Masters. He completed within the prime 15 in his previous two begins within the Wells Fargo Championship.
The 30-year-old is taking part in the most effective golf of his skilled profession and picked up his first PGA Tour victory with Ben Griffin within the Zurich Traditional. It is solely his second begin in a serious.
Burns appeared to interrupt the glass on his struggles in majors by tying for ninth within the 2024 U.S. Open. He tied for thirteenth within the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
One other former main champion with out a lot of a historical past at Quail Hole, Smith has performed higher within the LIV Golf League lately with three straight top-10 finishes.
It is time for Lee to warmth up at a serious once more. He missed the minimize at The Open in 2024 and was forty ninth on the Masters.
Berger, who battled a again damage for a lot of the earlier two seasons, is ready to return to the PGA Championship for the primary time since lacking the minimize in 2022.
Kim’s outstanding comeback from golf’s abyss continues; he tied for twenty seventh at Augusta Nationwide, his first made minimize in a serious since tying for thirty fifth at The Open in 2018. Kim withdrew from the Truist through the third spherical due to a again damage
Few golfers have struggled with their type or confidence as a lot as Homa over the previous yr. Nonetheless, he is a two-time winner of the Wells Fargo Championship in 2019 and 2022, and he appeared to determine some issues when he tied for twelfth on the Masters.
The previous US. Open champion lately known as his efficiency this season “garbage” and the “worst I’ve ever performed, in actual fact.” His previous outcomes at Quail Hole have not been nice, both.
Højgaard’s latest type in stroke-play occasions hasn’t been nice — he missed 4 straight cuts and tied for 56th on the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. He is thirty third within the European Ryder Cup group standings and desires to show issues round to get again on the squad.
The South Korean golfer is likely to be a sneaky choose for a top-10 end this season. He gained the Genesis Championship on the DP World Tour in October and was solo third within the Wells Fargo Championship final yr.
Johnson’s five-year exemption into the PGA Championship for successful the 2020 Masters expired, so he needed a special invitation into the field. He is twenty eighth within the LIV Golf season-long factors standings.
Large issues had been anticipated from Theegala this season, however he did not have a top-15 end in his first 13 begins on tour. He is coping with a double whammy of misses; he’s 148th in strokes gained: strategy (-.358) and 132nd off the tee (-.135). He withdrew from the Truist Championship within the remaining spherical due to a neck damage.
Woodland’s outstanding comeback from mind surgical procedure stays among the finest tales within the sport. He had a pair of prime 10s at Quail Hole and remains to be swinging onerous off the tee (313.3 yards).
The swap goes to click on in a serious for Bhatia quickly. He tied for third on the Gamers Championship, one other large occasion.
The South Korean golfer returns to Quail Hole, the place he gained over the galleries together with his enthusiasm and daring play on the 2022 Presidents Cup.
Zalatoris remains to be looking for solutions after recovering from again surgical procedure. He has fallen to 74th on this planet rankings.
Taylor ended a string of 9 straight missed cuts in majors by tying for fortieth on the Masters. The Canadian golfer has gained thrice on tour in as a few years.
Kim has turned issues round after lacking three cuts in 4 occasions. He tied for eighth on the RBC Heritage and fifteenth on the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
Mitchell struggled final fall, ending the yr with 4 straight missed cuts. He has collected 5 straight prime 25s, together with a tie for second within the Corales Puntacana Championship, and had the outright lead ultimately week’s Truist Championship in Philadelphia. He has a pair of prime 10s at Quail Hole on his résumé, too.
Garcia final made the minimize within the PGA Championship when he tied for 54th in 2015. He has three prime 10s within the LIV Golf League this season and had top-25 finishes in his previous three begins at Quail Hole.
Rai hits the ball exceptionally straight with a driver or irons. He would not hit it that far off the tee — he is 174th in driving distance (286.6 yards) — and missed the minimize in his previous two begins at Quail Hole.
The 2013 Masters champion has 20 prime 10s in 95 profession begins in majors — however only one previously 21. He missed the minimize in three of his previous 4 begins within the PGA Championship.
Finau was as soon as a constant top-10 participant within the majors, however he has only one (tie for third on the 2024 U.S. Open) in his previous 15 begins.
If familiarity issues, Hughes is likely to be a sleeper choose. Hughes lives down the street from Quail Hole Membership, the place he tied for ninth within the 2022 Wells Fargo Championship and sixth final yr.
After a few good performances in Florida (tie for third on the Gamers and eighth on the Valspar Championship), Glover has struggled the previous few weeks. He gained the 2011 Wells Fargo Championship in a playoff and was runner-up two years earlier.
Tier IV: Hey, miracles occur
They’re the lengthy photographs. Every thing must fall completely in place over 72 holes in 4 days at Quail Hole Membership for somebody from this tier to win. There have been various underdogs who’ve hoisted the Wanamaker Trophy. Keep in mind Y.E. Yang, Shaun Micheel and Rich Beem? It may be performed.
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
Fowler had slipped to a hundred and twenty fifth on this planet rankings and wanted a particular invitation from the PGA of America to get within the area. That appeared to encourage him in final week’s Truist Championship — he was solely two strokes off the lead after 18 holes. One in all his six PGA Tour victories got here on the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship when he defeated D.A. Points and McIlroy in a playoff.
Mickelson turns 55 subsequent month, and his greatest golf might be within the rear-view mirror. He grew to become golf’s oldest main champion when he surprised the game by capturing the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. He had 10 prime 10s in 17 begins at Quail Hole, together with a tie for fifth in 2018. Amongst golfers with no less than 20 rounds there, “Lefty” ranks third in true strokes gained (2.10), behind solely McIlroy (2.87) and Day (2.12), in line with datagolf.com.
Campbell, Highsmith, Vilips, Higgo and Griffin have already gained PGA Tour occasions this season.
Tier V: Pleased to make the minimize
This group features a few getting old golfers who’re attempting to hold on to their playing cards, and several other newcomers who’re trying to get extra entry to the tour. They are not anticipated to be among the many contenders until one thing really magical occurs, prefer it did for Micheel greater than 20 years in the past.
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
Noren, who tied for twelfth in final yr’s PGA Championship, did not make his first begin of 2025 till final week’s Truist Championship. He was coping with a neck damage and hamstring and glute tears.
At 52, Bland is the second-oldest golfer within the LIV Golf League. He is nonetheless taking part in fairly properly — he was seventeenth in factors and completed within the prime 12 previously two occasions.
McKibbin, 22, performed on the identical golf membership as McIlroy as soon as did in Northern Eire. He ignored McIlroy’s recommendation when he signed up with Rahm’s Legion XIII GC squad. He is one of many longest hitters within the LIV Golf League with a driving common of 322.2 yards however has struggled mightily together with his putter.
Tier VI: Previous champions
These are previous PGA Championship winners who aren’t included within the tiers above. Previous champions obtain a lifetime exemption into the most important. The listing included 1991 winner John Daly and 2002 winner Wealthy Been previously, in addition to Tiger Woods, who’s recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon in his left leg.
Martin Kaymer
Jimmy Walker
Jason Dufner
Padraig Harrington
Vijay Singh
Shaun Micheel
Daly is skipping the PGA Championship to compete within the Areas Custom in Birmingham, Alabama, which is the primary main on the PGA Tour Champions circuit. Daly withdrew from final yr’s PGA Championship after carding an 11-over 82 within the first spherical.
Beem instructed the Related Press that he hasn’t had sufficient time to organize as a result of he is working as an analyst for Sky Sports activities at large tournaments. Beem missed the minimize after going 20 over within the first 36 holes and admitted he “bought my [butt] handed to me final yr.”
Tier VII: PGA of America professionals
These are the top-20 finishers from the PGA Skilled Championship, which happened at PGA Golf Membership in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on April 27-30.
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 listing consists of Block, who stole the present on the 2023 PGA Championship by making a hole-in-one within the remaining spherical and tied for fifteenth at 1-over 281. It was the most effective end for a membership skilled on the PGA Championship since Lonnie Nielsen tied for eleventh in 1986.
Collet, from Vero Seaside, Florida, ran away from the sector with a 10-stroke win on the PGA Skilled Championship, the most important margin of victory within the occasion’s historical past. He is taking part in in his fourth PGA Championship. Collet performed faculty golf at Japanese Kentucky.
