CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The 2025 PGA Championship, the second major of the golf season, brings together the sport`s elite players at Quail Hollow Club, known for its challenging length.
Rory McIlroy, having recently achieved the career Grand Slam with a Masters victory, is a top contender, particularly at Quail Hollow where he has won four times. He aims to be the first since Jack Nicklaus (1975) to win both the Masters and PGA Championship in the same year.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler recently secured his first win of the season. LIV Golf`s Bryson DeChambeau also has a recent victory and seeks his third major title after a strong showing at the Masters.
Defending champion Xander Schauffele, who dealt with a rib injury after winning two majors in 2024, boasts a remarkable record of finishing in the top 10 in the last five majors. He could become the first player in 60 years to win his first three majors in just five starts.
Here is an overview of the 156-player field, categorized from top favorites to hopefuls, including past champions and PGA club professionals.
Tier I: The Clear Favorites
This tier includes the top contenders. While Scottie Scheffler is a slight betting favorite, attention is heavily on Rory McIlroy after his Masters win, especially at Quail Hollow. Only five golfers in the last 70 years have won the first two majors of a season: Ben Hogan (1953), Arnold Palmer (1960), Jack Nicklaus (1972), Tiger Woods (2002), and Jordan Spieth (2015).
Rory McIlroy
The newest member of professional golf’s most exclusive club is returning to what has been his happy place. He is the only four-time winner of the Wells Fargo Championship (now the Truist Championship) at Quail Hollow Club, with dominant wins in 2024, 2021, 2015, and 2010. He set the course record with a 10-under 61 in 2015. The course favors big hitters off the tee, and McIlroy was averaging 317.5 yards heading into last week, ranking third in the field.
Scottie Scheffler
The world No. 1 golfer secured his first victory of the season at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, winning by eight shots and tying the PGA Tour 72-hole scoring record at 31-under 253. Scheffler’s only previous competition at Quail Hollow was the 2022 Presidents Cup, where he finished 0-3-1 in the U.S. team’s victory.
Tier II: The Guys Who Can Win
Here are the other legitimate contenders to win the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday. They possess the game, resolve, and composure needed to handle four pressure-packed rounds.
Xander Schauffele
The defending PGA Championship winner was runner-up in his past two starts at Quail Hollow, finishing behind Wyndham Clark in 2023 and McIlroy last season. Schauffele is regaining form after a rib injury. His recent results include top finishes at the Valspar Championship (12th), Masters (8th), RBC Heritage (18th), and Truist Championship (11th). He hits it far enough off the tee and excels with long irons.
Bryson DeChambeau
DeChambeau has a solid track record at Quail Hollow, with a fourth-place finish in 2018 and a ninth in 2021. He narrowly missed winning last year`s PGA Championship at Valhalla, finishing one stroke behind Schauffele. His length off the tee (leading the LIV Golf League at 333.3 yards) and recent form (T5 at the Masters, LIV win in Korea) position him as a strong contender.
Justin Thomas
The two-time PGA Championship winner ended a nearly three-year winless streak with a playoff victory at the RBC Heritage. He claimed his first Wanamaker Trophy with a two-stroke win at Quail Hollow in 2017. Thomas`s driving inaccuracy (57.8%) is less penalized here, and his putting has been excellent this season.
Collin Morikawa
A two-time runner-up this season, Morikawa is due for a win (his last was the Zozo Championship in Oct 2023). The 2020 PGA Champion tied for fourth in the event last year.
Ludvig Åberg
The rising star won the Genesis Invitational and finished seventh at the Masters, but also has recent missed cuts and lower finishes (54th at RBC Heritage, 60th at Truist Championship). His iron play and putting have been inconsistent, ranking 131st in strokes gained: approach and 149th in putting.
Brooks Koepka
The five-time major champion hasn`t shown his “Big-Game Brooks” form in recent majors since winning his third Wanamaker Trophy in the 2023 PGA Championship. He hasn`t finished in the top 15 in his last seven major starts, including a missed cut at the Masters in April.
Justin Rose
Rose is coming off heartbreaking runner-up finishes at the Open Championship and the Masters last year (losing to McIlroy in a playoff). The 44-year-old`s driving distance has decreased, but he remains consistent in the PGA Championship with five consecutive top-15 finishes. He withdrew from the Truist Championship due to illness.
Jon Rahm
Rahm has consistently finished in the top 10 in his seven LIV Golf League starts this season and tied for 14th at the Masters. In last year`s PGA Championship, he started 4 over after six holes and couldn`t recover to make the cut, his first missed cut at a major since the 2019 PGA Championship.
Hideki Matsuyama
The 2021 Masters champion was in contention at the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow before struggling on the back nine. He secured his 11th PGA Tour victory at the Sentry in Hawai`i earlier this season.
Viktor Hovland
Hovland, the 2023 FedEx Cup champion, appears to have resolved his swing issues, evidenced by his win at the Valspar Championship and solid finishes at the Masters (T21) and RBC Heritage (13th). He tied for third at the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow, two strokes behind McIlroy.
Joaquín Niemann
The highly talented Niemann is still seeking his first top-10 finish in a major in what will be his 24th start. He has already won three times in the LIV Golf League this season.
Tyrrell Hatton
Hatton has performed well in the PGA Championship, with five top-25s, including two top-10s, in 10 starts. He has won twice on the DP World Tour since October.
Patrick Reed
Reed made a Sunday charge to finish third at the Masters and is capable of contending at Quail Hollow. In the 2017 PGA Championship, he got within one shot of the lead on the back nine before a final hole bogey left him in a tie for second, two strokes behind Thomas. Reed has two top-10s at the Wells Fargo Championship (2018, 2021).
Tommy Fleetwood
An 11-time winner worldwide, Fleetwood is still pursuing his first PGA Tour victory. He has finished in the top 25 in nine of his past 13 major starts.
Jordan Spieth
Spieth seeks to complete the career Grand Slam by winning a Claret Jug (referencing The Open Championship, the major he still needs, often confused with the PGA Championship trophy – the Wanamaker Trophy). He won the Masters and U.S. Open in 2015 and The Open in 2017. Spieth had a perfect 5-0-0 record at Quail Hollow during the 2022 Presidents Cup.
Patrick Cantlay
Cantlay hasn`t won on tour in over two years and is still seeking his first major championship. His driving and iron play are strong (ninth in strokes gained: tee to green), sufficient for a win this season.
Shane Lowry
The Irishman`s next major focus will likely be The Open at Royal Portrush in July, where he won in 2019. He has played consistently well this season, including a tie for second at the Truist Championship.
Russell Henley
Henley might not be the longest hitter, but his driving accuracy, exceptional iron play, and solid putting helped him tie for 10th in the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Wyndham Clark
Clark`s major results have been inconsistent since his surprise U.S. Open win in 2023, and his form has fluctuated this season. However, he hits the ball very long and won the Wells Fargo Championship two years ago.
Jason Day
Day won the 2015 PGA Championship and the 2018 Wells Fargo Championship. He tied for fourth at Quail Hollow last year. Day withdrew from last week`s Truist Championship for unspecified reasons.
Tier III: If Everything Goes Right
Here are the sleeper candidates who could surprise and win the Wanamaker Trophy. This tier includes former major champions, recent tour winners, and players who have shown signs of strong form.
Sungjae Im
Im has missed the cut in four of his last five PGA Championships but finished in the top 10 in the past two majors (T7 at the 2024 Open Championship, T5 at the Masters). He has two top 10s in his last two starts at Quail Hollow.
Keegan Bradley
The 2011 PGA Championship winner and U.S. Ryder Cup captain had a strong start to the season, including a T5 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but missed the cut at Augusta. He has made the cut in nine of his last 10 PGA Championship starts.
Harris English
The five-time PGA Tour winner has found more success in the U.S. Open, but Quail Hollow suits his game. He tied for third at the 2023 Wells Fargo Championship.
Sepp Straka
Straka`s major breakthrough was a tie for seventh at the 2023 PGA Championship. He tied for eighth at Quail Hollow last year and is coming off his fourth PGA Tour victory at the Truist Championship. He`ll aim to win back-to-back weeks.
Maverick McNealy
The new co-chairman of the PGA Tour Player Advisory Council, known for his academic background, also possesses a very good swing.
Thomas Detry
Detry tied for fourth at last year`s PGA Championship, his best major finish. This will be his first professional event at Quail Hollow.
Rasmus Højgaard
A PGA Tour rookie, Højgaard has won five times on the DP World Tour, including the Irish Open. He finished second with his twin brother Nicolai at the Zurich Classic team event and is second in the European Ryder Cup standings behind McIlroy.
Brian Harman
After a slow start, Harman claimed his fourth PGA Tour victory at the Valero Texas Open. He tied for 13th in the 2017 PGA Championship.
Robert MacIntyre
MacIntyre`s tie for eighth at last year`s PGA Championship helped turn his season around, potentially leading to his two wins (RBC Canadian Open, Genesis Scottish Open).
Corey Conners
The Canadian golfer has finished in the top 10 in two of the last three majors (T9 at 2024 U.S. Open, T8 at Masters). He has also finished in the top 15 in his last two Wells Fargo Championship starts.
Andrew Novak
The 30-year-old is playing the best golf of his career, securing his first PGA Tour win with Ben Griffin at the Zurich Classic. This is just his second major start.
Sam Burns
Burns seems to have overcome his struggles in majors, tying for ninth in the 2024 U.S. Open. He also tied for 13th in the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Cameron Smith
Another former major champion without extensive history at Quail Hollow, Smith has shown improved form in the LIV Golf League with three consecutive top-10 finishes.
Min Woo Lee
It`s time for Lee to perform well in a major again after missing the cut at The Open in 2024 and finishing 49th at the Masters.
Daniel Berger
After battling a back injury for two seasons, Berger is set to return to the PGA Championship for the first time since 2022 (missed cut).
Michael Kim
Kim`s remarkable comeback continues with a tie for 27th at Augusta National, his first made cut in a major since The Open in 2018. Kim withdrew from the Truist Championship due to a back injury.
Max Homa
While Homa has struggled with form and confidence recently, he is a two-time winner of the Wells Fargo Championship (2019, 2022) and showed improvement with a tie for 12th at the Masters.
Matt Fitzpatrick
The former U.S. Open champion recently described his season performance as “rubbish.” His past results at Quail Hollow have also been underwhelming.
Nicolai Højgaard
Højgaard`s recent stroke-play form has been poor, with four consecutive missed cuts before a T56 at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. He is currently 33rd in the European Ryder Cup standings and needs strong results to make the team.
Byeong Hun An
The South Korean golfer could be a dark horse for a top-10 finish. He won the Genesis Championship on the DP World Tour and finished solo third at the Wells Fargo Championship last year.
Dustin Johnson
Johnson, whose Masters exemption expired, received a special invitation into the field. He is currently 28th in the LIV Golf season standings.
Sahith Theegala
High expectations for Theegala this season haven`t materialized, with no top-15 finishes in his first 13 tour starts. He is struggling with both approach shots (148th in strokes gained) and off the tee (132nd). He withdrew from the Truist Championship with a neck injury.
Gary Woodland
Woodland`s return from brain surgery is one of the sport`s best stories. He has two top 10s at Quail Hollow and still drives the ball powerfully (313.3 yards).
Akshay Bhatia
Bhatia seems poised for a breakthrough in a major soon. He tied for third at The Players Championship, another significant event.
Tom Kim
The South Korean golfer returns to Quail Hollow, where his enthusiasm and daring play at the 2022 Presidents Cup made him a crowd favorite.
Will Zalatoris
Zalatoris is still seeking consistency after recovering from back surgery. His world ranking has dropped to 74th.
Nick Taylor
Taylor ended a streak of nine consecutive missed cuts in majors by tying for 40th at the Masters. The Canadian has won three times on tour in as many years.
Si Woo Kim
Kim has improved his form after missing three cuts in four events, tying for eighth at the RBC Heritage and 15th at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
Keith Mitchell
Mitchell has turned his game around with five straight top-25 finishes, including a tie for second at the Corales Puntacana Championship. He held the outright lead at last week`s Truist Championship and has two top 10s at Quail Hollow on his resume.
Sergio Garcia
Garcia last made the cut in the PGA Championship in 2015 (T54). He has three top 10s in the LIV Golf League this season and had top-25 finishes in his past three starts at Quail Hollow.
Aaron Rai
Rai hits the ball exceptionally straight but lacks distance off the tee (174th, 286.6 yards). He missed the cut in his past two starts at Quail Hollow.
Adam Scott
The 2013 Masters champion has 20 top 10s in 95 major starts but only one in his last 21. He has missed the cut in three of his last four PGA Championships.
Tony Finau
Finau was once a consistent top-10 player in majors but has only one (T3 at 2024 U.S. Open) in his last 15 starts.
Mackenzie Hughes
Familiarity with the course could benefit Hughes, who lives near Quail Hollow. He tied for ninth in the 2022 Wells Fargo Championship and sixth last year.
Lucas Glover
After strong performances in Florida (T3 at Players, 8th at Valspar), Glover has struggled recently. He won the 2011 Wells Fargo Championship and was runner-up two years prior.
Tier IV: Hey, Miracles Happen
This tier lists long shots where a win would be unexpected, requiring everything to align perfectly over 72 holes. History shows it`s possible, with past winners like Y.E. Yang, Shaun Micheel, and Rich Beem coming from outside the favorites.
J.T. Poston
Bud Cauley
J.J. Spaun
Phil Mickelson
Rickie Fowler
Sam Stevens
David Puig
Jake Knapp
Patrick Rodgers
Taylor Pendrith
Denny McCarthy
Tom Hoge
Eric Cole
Austin Eckroat
Garrick Higgo
Ryo Hisatsune
Nico Echavarria
Matt McCarty
Ryan Fox
Davis Thompson
Davis Riley
Cam Davis
Ben Griffin
Joe Highsmith
Jacob Bridgeman
Nick Dunlap
Kurt Kitayama
Adam Hadwin
Lee Hodges
Taylor Moore
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Cameron Young
Matt Wallace
Chris Kirk
Dean Burmester
Brian Campbell
Max Greyserman
Laurie Canter
Stephan Jager
Eugenio Chacarra
Thorbjørn Olesen
Karl Vilips
Matthieu Pavon
Thriston Lawrence
Erik van Rooyen
Fowler had dropped to 125th in the world rankings and needed a special invitation. This seemed to motivate him at last week`s Truist Championship, where he was only two strokes off the lead after 18 holes. One of his six PGA Tour wins came at the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship, defeating D.A. Points and McIlroy in a playoff.
Mickelson turns 55 next month, and his peak golf is likely behind him. He became golf`s oldest major champion by stunningly winning the 2021 PGA Championship. He has 10 top 10s in 17 starts at Quail Hollow, including a tie for fifth in 2018. Among golfers with at least 20 rounds there, he ranks third in true strokes gained (2.10), behind only McIlroy (2.87) and Day (2.12).
Campbell, Highsmith, Vilips, Higgo, and Griffin have already won PGA Tour events this season.
Tier V: Happy to Make the Cut
This category includes players primarily aiming to make the cut, such as aging golfers trying to maintain their status and newcomers seeking tour access. A win from this group would be a significant upset, similar to Shaun Micheel`s victory years ago.
Alex Noren
Tom McKibbin
Richard Bland
Patton Kizzire
Harry Hall
John Catlin
Johnny Keefer
Séamus Power
Luke Donald
Ryan Gerard
Beau Hossler
Justin Lower
Kevin Yu
Jhonattan Vegas
Max McGreevy
Rafael Campos
Sami Välimäki
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen
Keita Nakajima
Niklas Norgaard
Patrick Fishburn
Daniel van Tonder
John Parry
Rico Hoey
Takumi Kanaya
Elvis Smylie
Victor Perez
Marco Penge
Noren, who tied for 12th in last year`s PGA Championship, made his first start of 2025 last week after dealing with neck, hamstring, and glute injuries.
At 52, Bland is the second-oldest player in the LIV Golf League but is still playing well, ranking 17th in points with two top-12 finishes recently.
McKibbin, 22, trained at the same club as McIlroy in Northern Ireland. He reportedly disregarded McIlroy`s advice by joining Rahm`s LIV team. He`s one of the longest hitters in LIV (322.2 yards average) but struggles significantly with his putter.
Tier VI: Past Champions
This tier lists past PGA Championship winners not included above. They have lifetime exemptions. Notable past champions like John Daly, Rich Beem, and Tiger Woods (recovering from injury) are not participating this year.
Martin Kaymer
Jimmy Walker
Jason Dufner
Padraig Harrington
Vijay Singh
Shaun Micheel
Daly is skipping the PGA Championship to compete in the Regions Tradition, a senior major. He withdrew from last year`s PGA after a high opening round.
Beem cited insufficient preparation time due to his analyst work for Sky Sports. He missed the cut last year and acknowledged being significantly outplayed.
Tier VII: PGA of America Professionals
This tier features the 20 PGA of America club professionals who qualified via the PGA Professional Championship.
Tyler Collet
Jesse Droemer
Brian Bergstol
Michael Block
Dylan Newman
Brandon Bingaman
Ryan Lenahan
Andre Chi
John Somers
Justin Hicks
Rupe Taylor
Tom Johnson
Nic Ishee
Eric Steger
Bob Sowards
Bobby Gates
Greg Koch
Timothy Wiseman
Larkin Gross
Michael Kartrude
This list includes Michael Block, who gained fame at the 2023 PGA Championship with a hole-in-one and tied for 15th, the best finish for a club professional since 1986.
Collet dominated the PGA Professional Championship with a 10-stroke victory, the largest margin in the event`s history. This will be his fourth PGA Championship appearance. He played college golf at Eastern Kentucky.