2025 PGA Championship Tips & Preview - 4 best bets for major victory at Quail Hollow

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 12 May 2025

Brad Newcomb 12 May 2025

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PGA Championship returns to Quail Hollow
Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Thomas and Joaquin Niemann are top picks
McIlroy aims for back-to-back Majors and has strong Quail Hollow history

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Rory McIlroy won his first Wanamaker Trophy in 2012 (Getty Images)

The PGA Championship returns to Quail Hollow for the first time since 2017, with a star-studded field in North Carolina for golf's second major of the season. Who will lift the Wanamaker Trophy come Sunday?

Xander Schauffele returns to defend his title after a one-stroke victory over Bryson DeChambeau in 2024.

These are our four selections that could win the PGA Championship this weekend.

Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy has been in superb form on the PGA Tour this season, winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the Players Championship, and the Masters, completing the Career Grand Slam.

Additionally, McIlroy has placed T4 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic (DP World Tour), T17 at the Genesis Invitational, T15 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, T5 at the Texas Children's Houston Open, T12 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, and T7 at the Truist Championship last weekend.

McIlroy has compiled an impressive record when playing at Quail Hollow, winning the Wells Fargo Championship in 2010, 2015, and 2021, including placing T2 in 2012, T10 in 2013, T8 in 2014, T4 in 2016, T16 in 2018, and T8 in 2019.

The five-time Major winner's best results at the PGA Championship include a T3 in 2010, a victory in 2012, a T8 in 2013, a victory in 2014, a 17th in 2015, a T8 in 2019, an 8th in 2022, a T7 in 2023, and a T12 in 2024.

McIlroy will be hard to stop, as he has been in outstanding form this season and has won at Quail Hollow on three occasions.

Bryson DeChambeau

Bryson DeChambeau registered his first win of the season at the beginning of May, lifting the trophy at the LIV Golf Invitational Series event in South Korea.

Before that result, DeChambeau placed T6 in Riyadh, T18 in Adelaide, T20 in Hong Kong, T10 in Singapore, 5th in Miami, and T2 in Mexico City on the LIV Golf Tour. Additionally, DeChambeau finished 2nd at the International Series in India (Asian Tour) and T5 at the Masters.

DeChambeau has played at Quail Hollow on four occasions, with results of MC in 2016, T33 in 2017, 4th in 2018, and T9 in 2021.

The two-time U.S. Open champion has made seven appearances at the PGA Championship, finishing T33 in 2017, MC in 2018, MC in 2019, T4 in 2020, T38 in 2021, T4 in 2023, and 2nd in 2024.

DeChambeau has been in ultra-consistent form lately and will fancy his chances of winning this season's second Major in North Carolina this weekend.

Justin Thomas

Justin Thomas was playing well at the beginning of his season on the PGA Tour, placing T26 at the Sentry, 2nd at the American Express, T48 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, T6 at the WM Phoenix Open and T9 at the Genesis Invitational.

Thomas's subsequent two starts were average, finishing T36 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and T33 at the Players Championship before bouncing back to form, placing 2nd at the Valspar Championship, T36 at the Masters, victory at the RBC Heritage, and T2 at the Truist Championship last weekend.

The 32-year-old has a solid record at Quail Hollow, finishing T7 in 2015, MC in 2016, T21 in 2018, T26 in 2021, T14 in 2023, and T21 in 2024 when contesting the Wells Fargo Championship.

Thomas has won the PGA Championship twice in 2017 at Quail Hollow and 2022. He also placed T18 in 2015, T6 in 2018, and T8 in 2024 at this event.

Thomas has been in excellent form lately and can secure his third Wanamaker Trophy this weekend.

Joaquin Niemann

Joaquin Niemann has recorded four victories since December last year. He won the PIF Saudi International, including in Adelaide, Singapore, and Mexico City, on the LIV Golf Tour.

Niemann has also placed T5 at the ISPS Handa Australian Open (DP World Tour), T3 at the International Series in India (Asian Tour), T12 in Hong Kong, and T20 in South Korea this season.

Niemann's results at Quail Hollow have been an MC in 2018, a T38 in 2019, and a T18 in 2021.

The Chilean has yet to make his mark at the PGA Championship, finishing T71 in 2018, MC in 2019, MC in 2020, T30 in 2021, T23 in 2022, MC in 2023, and T39 in 2024.

Niemann comes into this tournament in great touch and will have every chance to emerge as the winner if he can replicate his recent performances.