Rory McIlroy Headlines PGA Championship Return To Quail Hollow—Where History Favors Power
By Timothy Corlett
When the PGA Championship returns to Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina this week, it brings with it not only a major title but also a rare blend of familiarity and elevated prestige. Quail Hollow, a regular PGA Tour stop, transforms once again into a major championship venue—just as it did in 2017, and now in 2025.
Unlike traditional PGA Championship venues that rotate every decade and often leave limited data trails, Quail Hollow provides a unique advantage: familiarity. It regularly hosts the PGA Tour’s best, reducing uncertainty and offering a clearer sense of who thrives here.
The McIlroy Effect
All eyes are on Rory McIlroy. Despite world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler's dominant season, McIlroy enters as the betting favorite—and for good reason. He has won four times at Quail Hollow, holds the course record for lowest single-round score, and owns the lowest 72-hole tournament total.
His success is rooted in power. Following Tom Fazio’s redesign, bunker complexes were strategically placed between 280–310 yards off the tee—right where most PGA Tour drives land. McIlroy, however, along with Bryson DeChambeau, can fly these hazards, effectively shortening the 7,600+ yard layout. It’s no coincidence both rank among the top three betting favorites.
Don’t Overlook the Dark Horses
While McIlroy and DeChambeau dominate headlines, a few lesser-known players also bring elite power. Wyndham Clark and Min Woo Lee rank 14th and 12th in driving distance this season, respectively, and have the kind of raw speed that fits Quail Hollow’s demands. If distance proves decisive again, either could make a surprise run up the leaderboard.
Putting Matters, Too
Distance alone won’t win a major. The other critical ingredient at Quail Hollow? Putting. McIlroy ranks 6th in strokes gained putting this year, one of his best performances on the greens. Min Woo Lee also impresses in this metric at 11th, while Wyndham Clark ranks a more modest 62nd—potentially limiting his upside.
Betting Landscape
According to CBS Sports as of Tuesday before the tournament, McIlroy sits at +450, while Min Woo Lee offers longshot value at +8000. McIlroy remains the clear-cut favorite for good reason—but a small wager on Lee could yield outsized returns.
Course Snapshot:
Established: 1960 (construction completed in 1962)
Architect: George Cobb, later redesigned by Arnold Palmer and Tom Fazio
Grass: Predominantly Bermuda with rye overseed
Sand: Same composition as Augusta National
As the PGA Championship gets underway, one thing is certain: Quail Hollow rewards power, poise, and familiarity. And few players check all those boxes like Rory McIlroy