CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A deluge of rain has turned Quail Hollow Club into a soggy beast for the PGA Championship, softening the course and stretching its already formidable 7,626 yards to feel even longer.
The wet conditions have handed a distinct advantage to golf’s biggest hitters, setting the stage for a power-driven showdown while leaving shorter and average-length players scrambling to keep pace.
Overnight storms dumped inches of rain on the course, saturating fairways and greens and slowing the typically firm and fast layout. The softened turf has reduced roll-out on drives, effectively lengthening holes and forcing players to rely on raw distance to conquer the par-71 track. For bombers like Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy, this is a dream scenario. For the field’s shorter hitters, it’s a nightmare.
“It’s playing as long as I’ve ever seen it,” said one LIV Golf caddie via text. “The ball’s not going anywhere after it lands, so you’ve got to carry it. Guys who can hit it far and high are going to have a huge advantage.”
Scheffler, the world No. 1, who ranks 11th on the PGA Tour in Total Driving, echoed the sentiment. “The golf course is going to play really long, the rough is thick, and the run-up areas after this kind of rain are going to be really soft, and the greens are still going to be really firm because they’re new,” he said. His ability to consistently launch 300-plus-yard drives gives him easier irons into Quail Hollow’s heavily guarded greens, a luxury many in the field won’t enjoy.
DeChambeau, whose brute-force approach revolutionized the game, was practically giddy about the conditions. “I think it’s a golf course that sets up for his [McIlroy] shot shapes pretty well, and I think it sets up well for mine, too. We’ll see.”
Data backs up the advantage. In dry conditions, Quail Hollow’s firm fairways allow shorter hitters to gain ground with roll. But with the course playing soft, carry distance is king. It’ll be a massive edge on holes like the 530-yard par-4 9th or the 529-yard par-4 16th, where shorter hitters may need woods or long irons to reach par-4 greens while the big dogs wield mid irons.
The forecast isn’t offering much relief. More rain is expected early in the tournament, keeping conditions soft and favoring those who can overpower the course. While accuracy and short-game wizardry always matter at Quail Hollow, this week’s championship may come down to who can bomb it farthest.
As the opening round looms, all eyes are on the power trio of Scheffler, DeChambeau, and McIlroy. In a game often defined by finesse, the rain has turned Quail Hollow into a slugfest, and the heavy hitters are ready to swing for the fences.
