This Week in Golf: All eyes on Charlotte as stars chase glory in 107th PGA Championship
With major glory, history, and $18.5 million on the line, all eyes are locked on Charlotte's Quail Hollow Club. It marks the fourth time the major has been played in the Tar Heel State. But unlike previous visits to Pinehurst (1936) and Tanglewood Park (1974), this year's host is a familiar beast.
Quail Hollow isn't new to the big stage. A regular PGA TOUR venue and host of the 2017 PGA Championship, it's a course that many in the 156-player field know intimately — except, perhaps, the 20 club professionals earning their shot through the PGA Professional Championship.
With $18.5 million up for grabs (based on the 2024 purse) and Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Bryson DeChambeau all in red-hot form, this is shaping up to be one of the most compelling majors in years.
The PGA's mix of big names, major storylines, and underdog club pros always delivers drama — and Quail Hollow's famously brutal 'Green Mile' finish should guarantee a thrilling Sunday.
May 15 – 18
PGA Tour
US PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, N. Carolina, USA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
19 hours ago
- The National
Rory McIlroy backs changes to $10m FedEx Cup format
Rory McIlroy has thrown his support behind the PGA Tour's decision to overhaul the format of the season-ending Tour Championship, insisting the move to a level playing field gives all 30 competitors a genuine chance at the $10 million FedEx Cup prize. The Northern Irishman, a three-time FedEx Cup winner, will tee off at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta on Thursday with the rest of the elite field as equals after officials scrapped the controversial 'starting strokes' format. Introduced in 2019, that system awarded players a staggered head start based on their ranking in the FedEx Cup standings, with world No 1 Scottie Scheffler beginning last year's Tour Championship at 10-under par and two shots clear of his nearest challenger. But following sustained criticism from fans and players alike, the PGA Tour confirmed in May that the 2025 edition would revert to a conventional 72-hole stroke play event. Officials described the change as a return to the 'most straightforward and engaging format'. McIlroy welcomed the reset. 'It has a different feel,' he said. 'Any one of the 30 has a chance to win the FedEx Cup this year, which is obviously a lot different than it's been in previous years. 'It's a clean slate for everyone, and it's a great opportunity for one of the guys who maybe wasn't a huge part of the season to put their hand up and have a chance. At the same time, it gives players who've had great years the chance to rubber-stamp it and finish on a really positive note.' McIlroy admitted he had not been opposed to the old format. 'I thought the player that played the best during the course of the season should have had an advantage coming in here,' he said. 'But the majority of people just didn't like the starting strokes.' The 35-year-old, who served on the PGA Tour's Player Advisory Council, revealed that switching to match play had also been discussed but was ultimately dismissed. 'Match play was on the table, and that got canned for this year,' McIlroy said. 'It's hard for the players to reconcile that we play stroke play all year and then the biggest event is decided by match play.' England's Tommy Fleetwood echoed McIlroy's support. 'It's probably more exciting for the players,' he said. 'Everybody knows it's a level field and a chance to have a great week and leave unbelievably happy.' Fleetwood has never won a PGA Tour event, recording seven top-10s and only one missed cut in 18 events. He tied for third and fourth at the first two legs of the FedEx Cup play-offs. Another heartbreaker Fleetwood endured came in June at the Travelers Championship, a signature event and the site of his sixth career runner-up finish on tour. After blazing rounds of 66, 65 and 63, he ceded the lead late on Sunday to Keegan Bradley, who made an improbable birdie on the 18th hole while Fleetwood three-putted for bogey and signed for a 72. Four rounds of golf from now, the man with the lowest score will be the winner of the tournament, the FedEx Cup and $10 million; a perfect time for Fleetwood's first PGA Tour win. "I'm not going to be picky about which one I choose to have as the first one. This one would be a good one," Fleetwood said. "But I think it would be pretty funny if I won this week and then got the FedEx Cup as well. I think that would be funny."
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
This Week in Golf: FedEx Cup and LIV Team Championship set to decide season sinners
At this point in the season, almost every week feels pivotal, with major events, qualifications, and exemptions on the line. But this week is particularly significant. The PGA Tour hosts its Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. The format has changed, and rightly so, to create a level playing field in determining the champion. No handicaps, no gimmicks, just pure golf. Over the years, the PGA Tour has experimented with formats to craft a grandstand finish, but sometimes the best approach is to simply recognise the player who has dominated the sport. This year, that player is Scottie Scheffler, who boasts five victories, including two Majors. Scheffler leads the FedEx Cup with 7,456 points, far ahead of second-placed Rory McIlroy, a three-time FedEx Cup champion, who has 3,687 points. The top 30 players on the FedEx Cup list are in the field. Notables missing from the season finale include Xander Schauffele, Matt Fitzpatrick, Si Woo Kim, and Rickie Fowler. Meanwhile, the LIV Golf League concludes its season with the three-day Team Championship in Michigan. Last week's Individual Championship in Indianapolis decided relegation and other standings, leaving only the team event to settle. The LIV Golf format has evolved over the years, with finales often trying to strike the right balance. As a fan, however, I believe simplicity is key. This week, the 12th and 13th-ranked teams face off in a Play-In match, with the winners advancing and the losers eliminated. On Friday, the 12 remaining teams compete in six quarter-final matches, and on Saturday, the six winners move on to the semi-finals. The final three teams then battle it out for the championship on Sunday. Saturday and Sunday also feature consolation matches to determine prize money distribution down to 13th place. Play-In, quarter-finals, and semi-finals follow matchplay rules: two individual (1v1) matches per team and one alternate-shot (2v2) contest. Sunday returns to stroke play, where all four scores count. There's no hiding; everyone must bring their best game. As IronHeads GC demonstrated in 2024, even a lower-seeded team can reach the final if they performs at their peak. Another highlight this week: the top six European players for Luke Donald's Team Europe for next month's Ryder Cup will be announced on Sunday night. It promises to be another unforgettable week for golf fans worldwide. Key Events This Week LIV Golf Friday 22 – Sunday 24 August, 2024 LIV Golf Team Championship Venue: The Cardinal at St John's, Michigan, US Purse: $50 million PGA Tour Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 August, 2025 Tour Championship Venue: East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, Georgia, US Purse: $40 million DP World Tour Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 August, 2025 Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo Venue: The Belfry Hotel & Resort, Sutton Coldfield, England Purse: $3.5 million HotelPlanner Tour Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 August, 2025 The Dutch Futures Venue: The Dutch, Spijk, Netherlands Purse: €300,000 LPGA Thursday 21 – Sunday 24 August, 2025 CPKC Women's Open Venue: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Purse: $2.6 million Ladies European Tour Friday 22 – Sunday 24 August, 2024 Hills Open Venue: Hills Golf & Sports Club, Gothenburg, Sweden Purse: €300,000
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
Team USA Ryder Cup contenders confirmed: Top six qualifiers set for Bethpage showdown
The countdown to the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York is on, and Team USA has confirmed its first six qualifiers following the BMW Championship. The players securing automatic spots are Scottie Scheffler, JJ Spaun, Xander Schauffler, Russell Henley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau. Spaun and Henley will make their Ryder Cup debuts, while the remaining quartet bring significant experience to the 12-man squad. Captain Keegan Bradley is set to announce his six Captain's Picks on Wednesday, August 27, rounding out the roster ahead of the event from September 26–28. Team Europe, led by Captain Luke Donald, will confirm its top six qualifiers after this week's Betfred British Masters at The Belfry on the DP World Tour, with the remaining six selections revealed on September 1. Speculation mounting With just over a month to go, speculation is mounting over Bradley's choices. Observers expect a balanced mix of seasoned campaigners and rising stars, with Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Keegan Bradley himself, and Brian Harman among the likely picks. The final two spots could come from Ben Griffin, Maverick McNealy, Andrew Novak, Cameron Young, or Patrick Cantlay, all looking to impress in the lead-up events. History heavily favours the home team at the Ryder Cup. This century, the U.S. has only lost once on home soil, when Europe famously triumphed in the 'Miracle at Medinah' in 2012. With a passionate New York crowd ready to roar, the U.S. enters as favourites. One question still dominating conversations is whether Captain Bradley will serve as a Playing Captain. Such a move could inspire the team or place added pressure on the man tasked with managing strategy, pairings, and media duties. Bradley's decision will be closely watched by fans, media, and pundits alike, with the announcement expected alongside the remaining six picks. The Ryder Cup is as much about leadership as it is about skill. Captains carry a unique burden: managing egos, media scrutiny, and the relentless pressure of international competition. History shows the winning captain is lauded as a genius, while the losing captain bears the brunt of criticism- a fine line with no middle ground. With just 36 days to tee off in the 45th edition of the Ryder Cup, anticipation is building. At the BMW Championship, Scheffler chose to focus on the $20 million FedEx Cup event rather than the Ryder Cup, but the buzz surrounding the New York clash continues to grow, promising another thrilling chapter in one of golf's most storied competitions.
