PGA Championship 2025: Player Rankings and Outlook

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – This week, Quail Hollow Club, one of the most challenging and longest courses on the PGA Tour, hosts the PGA Championship, marking the second major tournament of the season. The event features the strongest field in men`s professional golf.

Having recently achieved a career Grand Slam at the Masters, Rory McIlroy stands out as a key player, particularly at Quail Hollow where he boasts four victories. He aims to be the first golfer since Jack Nicklaus in 1975 to win both the Masters and the PGA Championship in the same year.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler enters the tournament fresh off his first win of the season. LIV Golf League standout Bryson DeChambeau also recently claimed a victory and will look to rebound from his performance at the Masters by securing his third major title.

Defending PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele, who won two majors in 2024, was hampered by a rib injury. According to ESPN Research, he is the only golfer to have finished in the top 10 in the last five consecutive majors. Schauffele has an opportunity to become the only player in the past 60 years to win his first three majors within a five-start window.

Here`s a breakdown of the 156-player field, categorized from top favorites to the 20 PGA of America club professionals competing:

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Tier I: The Clear Favorites

The world`s elite golfers are vying for supremacy, though Scottie Scheffler holds a slight edge as the betting favorite over Rory McIlroy. McIlroy, however, carries significant momentum after his Masters victory and heads to Quail Hollow, a course where he has historically excelled. Only five players in the last 70 years have won the first two majors of the season: Ben Hogan (1953), Arnold Palmer (1960), Jack Nicklaus (1972), Tiger Woods (2002), and Jordan Spieth (2015).

Rory McIlroy

Quail Hollow is undoubtedly a favored venue for McIlroy. He is the only four-time winner of the Wells Fargo Championship (now Truist Championship) held here, with victories in 2010, 2015, 2021, and 2024, often by significant margins. His course record of 61 (10-under) was set in 2015. The course`s length is well-suited to his game; he was third in driving distance heading into the week, averaging 317.5 yards.

Scottie Scheffler

The world No. 1 secured his first victory of the season at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on May 4, winning by an impressive eight strokes and tying the PGA Tour 72-hole scoring record at 31-under 253. Scheffler`s only prior competitive experience at Quail Hollow was the 2022 Presidents Cup, where he finished with a 0-3-1 record in the U.S. team`s victory.

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Tier II: Genuine Contenders

This group includes other credible candidates capable of lifting the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday. They possess the necessary skills, mental fortitude, and composure for four demanding rounds.

Xander Schauffele

The defending PGA Champion has a solid record at Quail Hollow, finishing as runner-up in his last two starts there (to Wyndham Clark in 2023 and Rory McIlroy last season). Schauffele is regaining form after a rib injury earlier in the year. His recent results are promising: T12 at the Valspar, 8th at the Masters, 18th at the RBC Heritage, and 11th at the Truist Championship. A two-time major winner, he drives the ball sufficiently far and is proficient with long irons.

Bryson DeChambeau

DeChambeau has performed well at the Wells Fargo Championship previously (4th in 2018, T9 in 2021). He narrowly missed winning the PGA Championship last year at Valhalla, finishing second by one stroke to Schauffele. His driving distance (leading the LIV Golf League at 333.3 yards) and recent form (T5 at the Masters, victory at the latest LIV event in Korea) suggest he`s a strong contender for another major run.

Justin Thomas

A two-time PGA Championship winner, Thomas ended a nearly three-year winless streak by winning the RBC Heritage in a playoff on April 20. He claimed his first Wanamaker Trophy at Quail Hollow in 2017, winning by two strokes. His driving inaccuracy (57.8%) may be less penalized here, and his putting has been strong this season.

Collin Morikawa

With two runner-up finishes this season, Morikawa, the 2020 PGA Champion, is due for a victory (his last tour win was the Zozo Championship in Oct 2023). He tied for fourth in this event last year.

Ludvig Åberg

The rising star won a signature event at the Genesis Invitational and finished seventh at the Masters. However, he also has recent missed cuts and less impressive finishes (T54 at RBC Heritage, T60 at Truist Championship). His iron play and putting stats (131st in strokes gained: approach, 149th in putting) need improvement.

Brooks Koepka

The five-time major champion hasn`t displayed his `Big-Game Brooks` form consistently in majors since winning his third Wanamaker Trophy at Oak Hill in 2023. He has missed the top 15 in his last seven major starts, including missing the cut at the Masters this April.

Justin Rose

Rose experienced near misses at last year`s Open Championship and this year`s Masters (losing a playoff to McIlroy). At 44, his driving distance has decreased, but this hasn`t prevented him from achieving five consecutive top-15 finishes in the PGA Championship. He withdrew from the Truist Championship before the third round due to illness.

Jon Rahm

Rahm has consistently finished in the top 10 in all seven of his LIV Golf League starts this season and tied for 14th at the Masters. Last year`s PGA Championship saw him start poorly (4 over after six holes) and miss the cut, his first in 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 dropping shots on the back nine. He secured his 11th PGA Tour win at the season-opening Sentry in Hawai`i.

Viktor Hovland

The 2023 FedEx Cup champion appears to have resolved swing issues. He won the Valspar Championship and posted strong finishes (T21 at Masters, 13th at RBC Heritage). He tied for third at the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow, two strokes behind McIlroy.

Joaquín Niemann

Despite significant talent, Niemann is still seeking his first top-10 major finish in what will be his 24th attempt. He has already won three times on the LIV Golf League circuit this season.

Tyrrell Hatton

Hatton has a solid record in the PGA Championship with five top-25 finishes, including two top-10s, in 10 starts. He has also won twice on the DP World Tour since October.

Patrick Reed

Reed made a notable Sunday push to finish third at the Masters and is capable of contending at Quail Hollow. In the 2017 PGA Championship, he came within one shot of the lead on the back nine before a final hole bogey left him tied for second, two strokes behind Thomas. Reed has two top-10s at Quail Hollow from the Wells Fargo Championship (2018, 2021).

Tommy Fleetwood

An 11-time winner globally, Fleetwood is still seeking his maiden PGA Tour victory. He has finished in the top 25 in nine of his last 13 major starts.

Jordan Spieth

Spieth has the chance to complete the career Grand Slam by winning the PGA Championship (the Claret Jug refers to The Open). He won the Masters and U.S. Open in 2015, and The Open in 2017. He went 5-0-0 at Quail Hollow during the 2022 Presidents Cup.

Patrick Cantlay

Cantlay`s last PGA Tour win was over two years ago, and he`s still pursuing his first major championship. His driving and iron play (9th in strokes gained: tee to green) have been strong enough for contention this season.

Shane Lowry

Lowry`s major focus will be The Open at Royal Portrush (where he won in 2019). However, he`s been consistently performing well this season, including a tie for second at the Truist Championship.

Russell Henley

While not the longest hitter, Henley`s accuracy off the tee, exceptional iron play, and steady putting helped him tie for 10th at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.

Wyndham Clark

Clark`s major results have been inconsistent since his unexpected 2023 U.S. Open win. His form has also fluctuated this season. However, he drives the ball powerfully and won the Wells Fargo Championship two years ago.

Jason Day

The 2015 PGA Champion (Whistling Straits) and 2018 Wells Fargo Champion has a good history at Quail Hollow, tying for fourth there last year. Day withdrew from the Truist Championship last week for undisclosed reasons.

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Tier III: Potential Sleepers

Here are the players considered dark horses for the PGA Championship title. This category includes past major winners, recent tour winners, and individuals showing resurgent form.

• Sungjae Im: Despite missing the cut in four of his last five PGA Championships, he has recent top-10 major finishes (T7 at 2024 Open, 5th at Masters) and top-10s in his last two Quail Hollow starts.
• Keegan Bradley: The 2011 PGA Champion and U.S. Ryder Cup captain started the season well (T5 at Arnold Palmer Invitational) but missed the Masters cut. He`s made the cut in nine of his last 10 PGA Championships.
• Harris English: A five-time PGA Tour winner with more U.S. Open success, but Quail Hollow suits him (T3 at 2023 Wells Fargo).
• Sepp Straka: Had a breakthrough major finish (T7 at 2023 PGA). Tied for eighth at Quail Hollow last year and is coming off his fourth career PGA Tour win at the Truist Championship.
• Maverick McNealy: New co-chairman of the PGA Tour Player Advisory Council and a Stanford graduate, also possesses a strong swing.
• Thomas Detry: Achieved his best major finish (T4) at last year`s PGA Championship. This will be his first professional event at Quail Hollow.
• Rasmus Højgaard: A PGA Tour rookie with five DP World Tour wins, including the 2024 Irish Open. He`s second in European Ryder Cup standings.
• Brian Harman: Won his fourth PGA Tour event at the Valero Texas Open after a slow start to the season. Tied for 13th in the 2017 PGA Championship.
• Robert MacIntyre: His T8 at last year`s PGA Championship boosted his confidence, contributing to wins at the RBC Canadian Open and Genesis Scottish Open.
• Corey Conners: The Canadian has two top-10s in the last three majors (T9 at 2024 U.S. Open, 8th at Masters) and top-15 finishes in his last two Wells Fargo starts.
• Andrew Novak: Playing the best golf of his career, including a win with Ben Griffin at the Zurich Classic. This is only his second major start.
• Sam Burns: Broke through major struggles with a T9 at the 2024 U.S. Open. Tied for 13th at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
• Cameron Smith: Another former major champion without significant history at Quail Hollow. He`s shown improved form on the LIV Golf League with three consecutive top-10s.
• Min Woo Lee: Needs a strong major performance after missing the 2024 Open cut and finishing 49th at the Masters.
• Daniel Berger: Returns to the PGA Championship after dealing with a back injury for two seasons, having missed the cut in 2022.
• Michael Kim: His impressive comeback continued with a T27 at Augusta National (first major cut since 2018). He withdrew from the Truist due to a back injury.
• Max Homa: A two-time Wells Fargo Champion (2019, 2022) at Quail Hollow. Despite a challenging year for form and confidence, a T12 at the Masters showed promise.
• Matt Fitzpatrick: The former U.S. Open champion has called his season performance `rubbish.` His past results at Quail Hollow are not strong.
• Nicolai Højgaard: Recent stroke-play form is poor (four straight missed cuts). He needs a strong performance to improve his Ryder Cup standing.
• Byeong Hun An: Could be a dark horse for a top 10. Won the Genesis Championship on the DP World Tour and was solo third at the Wells Fargo last year.
• Dustin Johnson: Required a special invitation as his Masters exemption expired. He is 28th in the LIV Golf season points.
• Sahith Theegala: Expected to perform well but lacked top-15 finishes in his first 13 starts. Struggling with approach shots and driving. Withdrew from the Truist with a neck injury.
• Gary Woodland: His recovery from brain surgery is inspiring. He has two top-10s at Quail Hollow and still drives the ball with power (313.3 yards).
• Akshay Bhatia: Poised for a major breakthrough soon. Tied for third at The Players Championship.
• Tom Kim: Returns to Quail Hollow where he was a crowd favorite during the 2022 Presidents Cup.
• Will Zalatoris: Still seeking consistency after back surgery and has dropped to 74th in world rankings.
• Nick Taylor: Ended a string of nine straight missed major cuts with a T40 at the Masters. Has won three times on tour in as many years.
• Si Woo Kim: Has improved form after missing cuts, with a T8 at RBC Heritage and T15 at CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
• Keith Mitchell: Finished last year poorly but has five straight top-25s, including a runner-up and held the lead at the Truist. Two top-10s at Quail Hollow.
• Sergio Garcia: Last made the PGA Championship cut in 2015 (T54). Has three LIV Golf top-10s this season and top-25s in his last three Quail Hollow starts.
• Aaron Rai: Known for straight hitting but lacks distance (174th in driving distance). Missed the cut in his last two Quail Hollow starts.
• Adam Scott: The 2013 Masters champ has 20 major top-10s but only one in his last 21 starts. Missed the cut in three of his last four PGA Championships.
• Tony Finau: Previously a consistent major top-10 player, he has only one (T3 at 2024 U.S. Open) in his last 15 starts.
• Mackenzie Hughes: Living near Quail Hollow might give him an edge. Tied for ninth in the 2022 Wells Fargo and sixth last year.
• Lucas Glover: Had good results in Florida (T3 at Players, 8th at Valspar) but has struggled recently. Won the 2011 Wells Fargo and was runner-up in 2009.

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Tier IV: Where Miracles Happen

These are the long shots. For someone in this group to win, everything would need to align perfectly over the 72 holes at Quail Hollow. However, the Wanamaker Trophy has seen underdog winners like Y.E. Yang, Shaun Micheel, and Rich Beem.

Rickie Fowler, who had fallen to 125th in the world rankings, received a special invitation from the PGA of America. This seemed to motivate him at last week`s Truist Championship, where he was just two strokes off the lead after the first round. One of his six PGA Tour victories came at the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow, defeating D.A. Points and Rory McIlroy in a playoff.

Phil Mickelson, turning 55 next month, is likely past his peak competitive years. However, he made history as golf`s oldest major champion by winning the 2021 PGA Championship. He has 10 top-10 finishes in 17 starts at Quail Hollow, including a tie for fifth in 2018. Data indicates “Lefty” ranks third in true strokes gained at Quail Hollow (2.10) among players with at least 20 rounds, trailing only McIlroy (2.87) and Jason Day (2.12).

Several players on this list, including Campbell, Highsmith, Vilips, Higgo, and Griffin, have already secured PGA Tour victories this season.

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Tier V: Aiming for the Cut

This group consists of veteran golfers seeking to maintain tour status and newer players trying to gain experience and access. Contention for the win is unlikely unless something truly extraordinary happens, reminiscent of Shaun Micheel`s surprise victory two decades ago.

Alex Noren, who tied for 12th in last year`s PGA Championship, made his 2025 debut at last week`s Truist Championship after dealing with injuries (neck, hamstring, glute tears).

At 52, Richard Bland is the second-oldest player in the LIV Golf League. He`s still performing creditably, finishing 17th in points and securing top-12 finishes in his last two events.

Tom McKibbin, 22, hails from the same club as Rory McIlroy in Northern Ireland. He reportedly disregarded McIlroy`s advice when joining Jon Rahm`s LIV team. He is one of the longest hitters in LIV (322.2-yard average) but struggles significantly with his putting.

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Tier VI: Past Champions in the Field

This list features former PGA Championship winners who are not included in the higher tiers. Past champions receive a lifetime exemption into the tournament. Notably, 1991 winner John Daly and 2002 winner Rich Beem have been in the field in previous years, as has Tiger Woods (currently recovering from injury).

• Martin Kaymer
• Jimmy Walker
• Jason Dufner
• Padraig Harrington
• Vijay Singh
• Shaun Micheel

John Daly is skipping the PGA Championship this year to play in the Regions Tradition, the first major on the PGA Tour Champions circuit. Daly withdrew from last year`s PGA Championship after a challenging opening round.

Rich Beem mentioned to the Associated Press that his preparation time is limited due to his role as an analyst for Sky Sports at major tournaments. He missed the cut last year after a difficult first 36 holes.

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Tier VII: The PGA of America Professionals

These are the top 20 finishers from the PGA Professional Championship, held at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida, from April 27-30.

This group includes Michael Block, who captured attention at the 2023 PGA Championship with a final-round hole-in-one and finished tied for 15th. This was the best result for a club professional in the PGA Championship since Lonnie Nielsen tied for 11th in 1986.

Tyler Collet of Vero Beach, Florida, dominated the PGA Professional Championship with a 10-stroke victory, the largest margin in event history. This is his fourth appearance in the PGA Championship. Collet played college golf at Eastern Kentucky.