The PGA at Quail Hollow

It’s a major week once again. After the excitement of the midterm elections last Monday, we are back in golfer mode and now comes another sleep-deprived weekend. This year’s Masters in April delivered a tournament for the ages. This week, Masters Champion Rory McIlroy heads to one of his favorite courses to try and get the next major, and a shot at not just a career slam, but a legit calendar grand slam.

Rory

People have been talking about Rory’s record around Quail Hollow. Yes, he’s won multiple times there. The course suits him, and the ever-lengthening of courses just plays to his advantage.

With the burden of not winning the Masters, not completing the career grand slam, and not winning a major in over a decade, all gone, will pressure-free Rory play better or worse? Will it free him up, or will completing the career slam affect his drive and motivation? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Apart from Rory being a favorite, there are plenty of other contenders to win at Quail Hollow. From those coming into this week at peak form to those who do well at long courses to those who have extra motivation to win, Rory has many targeting his back.

Jordan Spieth

Speaking of the career Grand Slam, we can’t leave out Rory’s fellow phenom — Jordan Spieth.

A dominant force a decade ago, Spieth hasn’t quite recaptured that same rhythm in recent years. He’s one major shy of the Slam, needing only a PGA Championship to complete the set.

He already has a Masters, a US Open, and a British Open to his name — but the fact that he won them nearly a decade ago is part of the challenge.

Spieth hasn’t been in top form lately, and it’s been a while since he truly contended in a major. He hasn’t won since 2022, but he showed flashes of his old self at the 2025 Masters, finishing tied for 14th. Will seeing Rory complete the slam give Jordan a bit more motivation? Let’s see.

Scottie Scheffler

Scottie hasn’t had an amazing year before winning two weeks ago. Could he be peaking just at the right time for the PGA? Maybe. Scheffler will always be in the mix because of his consistency and he’s long enough. His putting will be the key to whether he can contend over the weekend — but he should be in the mix. He isn’t world number one for nothing.

Justin Thomas

Thomas already has two PGA Championships, and with his return to form in Harbortown, he’s heading into the tournament in good spirits. Will he win his third PGA? I’m sure he wouldn’t mind another. He won his first PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, so he knows how to win at this year’s venue.

Patrick Reed

He may not be very well-liked, and playing on LIV hasn’t been advantageous to his game, but Patrick Reed is a fierce competitor. He just finished third at the Masters — and you don’t pull that off without an exceptional short game.

Bryson DeChambeau

Bryson was all set for a final-round duel with Rory at the Masters until it all fizzled out by the 3rd hole. Everyone has a bad day and Bryson’s was at the fourth round of the Masters. But with his length and doggedness, Bryson will probably contend this week.

Jon Rahm

I am a Rahm fan. He may find the right mix of accuracy, length, and consistency this week. He’s long enough, has a good short game, and can putt when he is on. Again, being stuck at LIV doesn’t help his chances, but he just might pull a surprise this week.

Tommy Fleetwood

Tommy’s not a favorite, but he is my emotional pick. He’s always knocking, and always plays well, but can’t seem to put it all together in a week to win. I hope he does it this year, and I think he deserves a major.

The PGA Championship may be the least prestigious of the four majors, but it is a major nonetheless.

A stacked field at a challenging course is worth losing sleep over, major or not.

It should be another exciting week at another iconic course. While there are favorites to win, the golf gods will always have the final say. Let’s just enjoy the ride!