The PGA Championship started off with a bang, or at least that was the expectation. Instead, the course conditions at Quail Hollow have turned the tournament into a brutal test for even the world’s best golfers. Top players like Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Rory McIlroy struggled to find their footing in round 1, with Scheffler carding a 69, Schauffele finishing at 72, and McIlroy recording a 74. The real challenge seemed to come from unexpected places, with players like Luke Donald, Alex Smalley, and Stephan Jaeger navigating the course more smoothly, each shooting 67s to sit among the early leaders.

Schauffele hinted at tensions brewing behind the scenes, particularly regarding the course conditions. “All of us. I’m not the only guy. I’m just in front of the camera. I wouldn’t want to go in the locker room because I’m sure a lot of guys aren’t super happy with sort of the conditions there,” Schauffele said at the recent PGA Championship presser, suggesting that many players are frustrated.

According to him, the lush fairway grass makes ball cleaning less of an issue for gaining an advantage, but the unpredictable nature of the course makes it tough for players to consistently perform well. “The course is completely tipped out. It sucks that you’re kind of 50/50 once you hit the fairway,” Schauffele added, highlighting the difficulties players face once their ball lands in the fairway.

Schauffele also pointed out one specific challenge that might become even more prominent in the coming days: mud balls. “The mud balls are going to get worse,” he predicted. As the course dries up, the mud balls will likely reach a “perfect cake zone” where they’re muddy underneath and pick up more mud as they roll, making them harder to control. But the problem with mudballs is not a rare occurrence on Tour courses, as the season’s first major witnessed the same issue. Jordan Spieth pointed out that mudballs significantly affected his iron play during the Masters, particularly on holes 11 and 13 at Amen Corner.

However, the course conditions at the season’s second major really come off as a surprise considering the amount of time and effort that went into preparing it for the competition. Quail Hollow has undergone extensive renovations, including a redesigned front nine, lengthening of the 11th hole by 40 yards, and refurbishment of greens and bunkers with new drainage and TifEagle Bermuda grass. But it’s not only that, as many Tour pros find its design to be a problem as well.

Quail Hollow’s design draws criticism from Justin Thomas

Quail Hollow, the host of this week’s PGA Championship, has found itself under scrutiny for its design philosophy, which seems to prioritize raw power over clever strategy. It’s a criticism that’s hard to ignore, especially when one of its past champions, Justin Thomas, inadvertently highlights the course’s limitations.

While discussing Rory McIlroy’s success at Quail Hollow, Thomas let slip that the course doesn’t exactly demand a genius-level game plan off the tee. “It doesn’t necessarily require a lot of thought or strategy off the tee, it’s generally pulling out driver and just I need to hit this as far and straight as possible,” he said. This rather candid assessment paints a picture of a course that values distance over finesse.

The sprawling fairways and emphasis on long drives will likely be the defining features of this tournament. With rain forecasted for the week, Thomas’ observations take on added significance – the wet conditions will likely play to the strengths of golfers who can hit the ball farthest, potentially overshadowing more nuanced aspects of the game. So, who do you think will arise from the challenges and take home the Wanamaker Trophy? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!