This year's PGA Championship at Quail Hollow

Quail Hollow is one of the longest and most demanding courses on the PGA circuit, measuring in at a whopping 7745 yards. Length is definitely more important rather than accuracy this week, with some experts simply describing the course as a “brute”.

Expect to see many hybrids or the old fashioned one and two irons becoming the player’s best friends. The low scores will come from playing the par 5’s well, so expect players to be looking to go low on holes 5, 10 and 15. The difficult holes will include the 4^th and the very demanding finish at the 18^th par 4, weighing in at a staggering 478 yards.

With the length of the course, the old phrase “drive for show and putt for dough” always rings true in major championships. Jordan Spieth will surely have the momentum after winning his third major at Royal Birkdale. Spieth made thirty foot putts look as easy as simple tap-ins, making him the hot favourite to complete his Major Career Grand Slam. 

Let’s take a quick look at some of the longer boys. Dustin Johnson is having a steady come back after his ‘freak’ back injury. With the ability to comfortably drive the ball 320 yards and his new found short game, he is very capable of shooting a low score over the four days.

Rory Mcilroy will be one player who many with have on their betting slip. Outside of Ireland, this is probably one of his favourite courses, mainly due to his ability off the tee which has been a little bit wayward of late. If the young Irishman is purely focused on his golf, it will take something very special to beat him.

On the other hand, golf always likes to throw up many surprises and we could see a first major victory for John Rahm or the likes of Rafa Cabello Bello. Other players in decent form include Charley Hoffman, Zach Johnson and Ricky Fowler. However, can Tommy Fleetwood rediscover form after a disappointing Open Championship?