Anyone Can Win

“You must play boldly to win.” Gary Player.

Anyone Can Win

Every week of the PGA season anyone in the field can win the tournament. The PGA Championship at Quail Hollow is no exception. It could be the pro who is on top of the leaderboard, leading from start to finish, or someone from the bottom half of the field who plays a blinder on moving day. As often happens the winner makes a putt, or chips in from off the green or splashes in from a bunker to win on the last hole of the tournament. Golf is one of the most difficult sports to predict a winner, the variables are so numerous, that a very minor one could affect the outcome.

Tiger Woods & Jack Niklaus

Occasionally the sport produces an exception like Tiger Woods or Jack Niklaus before him. Golfers who at their peak, win what appears to be every week. Tiger has won 82 PGA tournaments, Jack 73 times in his career. For a time in their era, the big three, Jack Niklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player dominated the winner’s circle.

Recent Times – Scottie Scheffler

Of today’s generation Scottie Scheffler won seven times in the 2024 season, the only other multiple winner in 2024 was Xander Schauffele with two wins, both majors. It is unlikely but Scheffler is too early in his career to see if he will achieve the status of a Woods or Niklaus. To get to even half their number of wins will be a huge achievement for Scheffler. LIV Golf has divided the talent pool; in a way it will make Scheffler’s pursuit as the winningest golfer of his generation more achievable. Nevertheless, with 14 PGA wins banked to date, he is well on his way to 40 wins.

Rory McIlroy

For good reason Rory McIlroy’s stature in golf is sky high. If he wins at Quail Hollow this weekend, his stature in the game will explode. Already the 2025 Masters champion, to add the PGA Championship will be stunning. Having achieved the grand slam of majors, McIlroy joins a rare pantheon of golfers. Pundits expect him to add to his 29 wins now that the grand slam is behind him. Of the current PGA professionals McIlroy is unequalled.

Other Legitimate Contenders

•  Xander Schauffele: The defending PGA Champion, Schauffele has a record of doing well in majors. He has 9 PGA wins and 2 on the DP World Tour. He will do well to repeat the success of last year.

• Justin Thomas: A former PGA Champion (2017), Thomas has shown signs of a resurgence, including a recent win at the RBC Heritage.5 He has 16 PGA wins.

• Ludvig Åberg: The young Swede has quickly established himself as a top talent. He has 2 PGA wins and 3 wins on other tours with an all-round accomplished game.

• Viktor Hovland: An excellent ball striker whose form last year had been variable. He has the firepower to contend on a course like Quail Hollow. He's been in form this season; 7 PGA wins and 4 on other tours.

• Hideki Matsuyama: A Masters champion, Matsuyama is always a threat when his game is on. He's a very consistent player with the ability to go low. 11 PGA wins, 20 professional wins in total.

• Sepp Straka: Winner of the Truist Championship just last week (also at a Philadelphia Cricket Club course that demanded precision), Straka is clearly in good form and has moved into the top 10 of the world rankings.7 He also finished T8 at Quail Hollow last year. 4 PGA wins and 2 others.

• Jason Day: Overall form has been inconsistent; Day has a strong history at Quail Hollow and ranks highly in total strokes gained at this venue. 13 PGA wins and 6 others.

• Bryson DeChambeau: Playing on the LIV Golf circuit, DeChambeau has shown his major championship pedigree with a runner-up finish at last year's PGA and a strong showing at the Masters. His power could be a significant advantage. 9 PGA wins and 5 others.

• Shane Lowry: Finished runner-up to Straka at the Truist Championship and has the major championship experience to contend. Contends often with power and finesse. 3 PGA wins.

• Collin Morikawa: A two-time major champion with exceptional iron play, Morikawa is always a threat, although some analysts are questioning his suitability for Quail Hollow due to its emphasis on driving. 6 PGA wins and 4 on the European Tour.

• Jordan Spieth: While needing a PGA Championship to complete his career Grand Slam, Spieth's form has been inconsistent, but his creativity and past major success can't be discounted. 13 PGA wins, a decent record in view of his struggles in the years since his peak winning period.

• Ryan Fox: Fresh off his first PGA Tour victory at the Myrtle Beach Classic, Fox will be riding high on confidence and secured the last spot in the field. 1 PGA Tour win, and 17 professional wins on other tours.

Summary

Golf is unpredictable, a player from the pack who might not be on everyone's radar, could have a great week and surprise. However, the players listed above represent a strong group of contenders with the talent and potential to challenge Rory McIlroy for the PGA Championship.