There has been an unspoken lull since leaving Augusta, or at least since Hilton Head. The game's biggest players took on the Philadelphia Cricket Club this past week in dramatic fashion, as Sepp Straka held on down the stretch to win his second PGA Tour title this season. It was a nice showdown to remind us again how strong the professional golf product is, and it escalates the excitement ahead of the year's second major this week at Quail Hollow.
The professional golf world ascends upon Charlotte, North Carolina, again for the year's second major. The last time this championship was here in 2017, Justin Thomas held off a stacked leaderboard to win his first career major championship. However, this course is a mainstay on the PGA Tour, so there is a plethora of course history to look back on heading into the week.
Horse For The Course is an article highlighting players in this week's field with elite course history and is part of our free PGA DFS content here at RotoBaller. For some of the favorite DFS plays of the week, check out the Core Four article written by my buddy, Joe Nicely, here at RotoBaller every Wednesday. It's part of our amazing PGA Premium package that includes an all-new PGA Research Station, Lineup Builder & Optimizer, and some of the best articles in the PGA DFS industry! You can sign up now using the Promo Code TDG for an extra discount at checkout!
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2025 PGA Championship
There are many storylines to lean into as the week kicks off. Many eyes are on Jordan Spieth, given the history that unfolded at Augusta. A similar outcome is on the table for the former Texas Longhorn this week, though it would be a much bigger surprise than McIlroy's green jacket.
Speaking of Rory McIlroy, he'll be a large topic of discussion later in this article, but his record at Quail Hollow is perhaps the most storied of anyone in the field. You can't win all the majors in a season without winning the first one, and the scenario that presents the Northern Irishman to knock off the first two majors couldn't be better.
The list of names with legitimate chances feels even longer than a month ago, as Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Bryson DeChambeau, and others are playing extremely well. Rainy weather is in the forecast early on, but is giving way to more pleasant days during the competitive rounds. Softer conditions should narrow the field and juice the scoring, much to a similar effect as Valhalla last year.
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Quail Hollow Club
Par 71 - 7,626 | Greens: Bermudagrass| Designed By: George Cobb
One of the more coveted 18-hole tracks in professional golf, Quail Hollow has been the normal host for last week's Truist Championship since 2003. It has been the site of many great victories from some of the biggest names in professional golf. Only giving up the reins when hosting a major (like this year) or cup matches. It is a true specimen of a championship-quality golf course.
Opening in 1961, George Cobb is the original designer of this property. However, Tom Fazio is credited with turning Quail Hollow into the architectural marvel it is, with renovations in 1997 and 2016. It's a big ballpark that demands a good week off the tee to have a chance, and that importance will be even more so with rain early in the week to soften conditions.
The PGA Championship is perhaps the most versatile major for generating different types of winners, depending on the course setup and weather. But this week feels much more cut and dry, though that's probably more to do with the fact that we know this place better than more obscure stops in the rotation. As far as stats go, look for strokes gained off the tee and ball striking, strokes gained putting, and par-5 scoring to be the heaviest producers this week.
* Since this is a regular PGA Tour venue, all data, most notable finishes, and recent winners will come from that
Recent Winners At Quail Hollow
- 2024: Rory McIlroy (-17)
- 2023: Wyndham Clark (-19)
- 2022: Max Homa (-8)
- 2021: Rory McIlroy (-10)
The Horse
Rory McIlroy
- Notable Finishes: 1st ('21 & '24)
It's hard to think about Quail Hollow and not have the face of Rory McIlroy in your head. He's easily been the most dominant player at this layout over the last decade, with four total wins since his debut in 2010. Over his last 36 rounds here, he leads the field in strokes gained off the tee (+1.43) and ranks third in strokes gained on approach (+0.72).
The current Masters champion has as many eyes on him right now as at any point in his career, and if his comfort level here remains as the stakes and pressure are taken up a notch, he'll be another force to deal with come Sunday.
The Ponies
Justin Thomas
- Notable Finishes: 1st (2017 PGA Champ.)
A shot for the ages from @JustinThomas34!
We can't wait to see more incredible play at Quail Hollow next week 🏆#PGAChamp #TopShotTuesday pic.twitter.com/sCaF8Ul5UG
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 7, 2025
As the only guy in the field to win this championship at this venue, Justin Thomas hasn't had quite the same yearly success as would be expected from the immensely talented player that he is. It hasn't been a total failure, as he's consistently in the top 25 on leaderboards, but given his victory in 2017, one would think another run at a title here is certainly in the cards.
The work off the tee is the largest concern, as the more difficult major championship setup could mean problems for J.T. It has been the one concern all year, but he has had success at times, averaging +0.74 just last week in Pennsylvania. Every other part of his game seems to be firing on all cylinders.
Xander Schauffele
- Notable Finishes: T2 ('23 & '24)
Relive Xander Schauffele's MAJOR performance at Valhalla! #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/Rz1TArnncn
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 11, 2025
Until the introduction of Signature Events, making the trip to Charlotte wasn't in the plans for Xander Schauffele, who is only making his sixth career start at an event at Quail Hollow. However, only two men have stood between him and back-to-back victories here in the last two years.
Over the last 12 competitive rounds, Schauffele leads the field in strokes gained tee to green (+2.45). What he does off the tee has been the main concern in 2025, but having gained strokes off the tee in two of his last three starts will hopefully spell good things for his title defense.
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Bryson DeChambeau
- Notable Finishes: 4th ('18), T9 ('21)
An emphatic finish. Bryson DeChambeau birdies No. 18 ahead of the final round. #themasters pic.twitter.com/8McweulZGO
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 12, 2025
It seems odd to see Bryson DeChambeau rated so highly at a course he hasn't competed on in four years, whether that is due to how hard Quail Hollow is or just a true testament to the mad scientist's talents is hard to say. However, this spot has come more from his putting than his incredible length. Over his 14 competitive rounds, he leads the field in strokes gained putting (+1.19).
Now that he's arguably the best driver of the golf ball on the planet, the stock price for adding another major victory to his belt this week is near Bitcoin levels.
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