PGA Championship 2025: Ranking Favorites, Contenders, and Hopefuls

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The PGA Championship, the second major of the season, is set to feature golf`s premier players at Quail Hollow Club, one of the PGA Tour`s most challenging and lengthy courses.

Rory McIlroy arrives with significant momentum, having recently achieved a career Grand Slam by winning the Masters. He is seen by many as the player to beat at Quail Hollow, a course where he has previously secured four victories. McIlroy is attempting to accomplish a feat not seen since Jack Nicklaus in 1975: winning both the Masters and the PGA Championship in the same year.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is also in winning form, having claimed his first victory of the season recently. LIV Golf standout Bryson DeChambeau, fresh off a win in Korea, aims to bounce back from his final-round struggles at the Masters and secure his third major title.

Defending PGA Champion Xander Schauffele, who won two majors in 2024, has been hampered by a rib injury but is regaining his stride. Notably, Schauffele is the only golfer with top-10 finishes in the last five majors. He has a chance to become the first player in 60 years to win his initial three major championships within a five-start span.

This article provides a breakdown of the 156-player field, categorizing them from the clear favorites to the long shots, and including past champions and PGA of America club professionals.

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Tier I: The Clear Favorites

The top golfers in the world are in pursuit, though Scottie Scheffler enters the week as a slight betting favorite over Rory McIlroy. McIlroy, however, carries the target after his Masters triumph and heads to Quail Hollow, a venue he excels at. Only five players in the past 70 years have won the first two majors of a season: Ben Hogan (1953), Arnold Palmer (1960), Jack Nicklaus (1972), Tiger Woods (2002), and Jordan Spieth (2015).

Rory McIlroy

The newest member of golf’s most exclusive club returns to a course that has been exceptionally kind to him. McIlroy is the sole four-time winner of the event held at Quail Hollow. His past victories here include dominant margins (five strokes in 2024, seven in 2015, four in 2010) and a one-stroke win in 2021. He holds the course record with a 10-under 61 set in 2015. Given that Quail Hollow favors powerful drivers, McIlroy`s average driving distance positions him well.

Scottie Scheffler

After winning nine times globally in 2024, the world No. 1 secured his first title of the current season at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson on May 4th. He won by an impressive eight strokes, tying the PGA Tour`s 72-hole scoring record at 31-under 253. Scheffler’s only prior experience at Quail Hollow was during the 2022 Presidents Cup, where he finished 0-3-1 in the U.S. team`s victory.

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Tier II: The Guys Who Can Win

This group represents other legitimate contenders vying for the Wanamaker Trophy. They possess the necessary skills, mental fortitude, and experience to handle the pressure of four major championship rounds.

Xander Schauffele

The reigning PGA Champion has a strong history at Quail Hollow, finishing as runner-up in his last two starts there. He lost to Wyndham Clark in 2023 and Rory McIlroy in 2024. Schauffele is working his way back from a rib injury, showing promising recent results including top-20 finishes at the Valspar, Masters, RBC Heritage, and Truist Championship. As a two-time major winner, he hits the ball effectively off the tee and is particularly skilled with long irons.

Bryson DeChambeau

DeChambeau has a respectable record at Quail Hollow from his time on the PGA Tour. He finished fourth in 2018 and tied for ninth in 2021. He narrowly missed out on last year`s PGA Championship title at Valhalla, finishing one stroke behind Schauffele. His significant length off the tee (leading the LIV Golf League in driving distance) and recent win in Korea make him a formidable threat in a major.

Justin Thomas

A two-time winner of the PGA Championship, Thomas recently ended a nearly three-year winless streak by winning the RBC Heritage in a playoff. His first Wanamaker Trophy came at Quail Hollow in 2017 with a two-stroke victory. Thomas`s game is less penalized for inaccuracy at this course, and his putting has been strong this season.

Collin Morikawa

With two runner-up finishes this season, Morikawa, the 2020 PGA Champion, is looking to end his winless run on tour (last win was October 2023). He tied for fourth at the PGA Championship last year.

Ludvig Åberg

The rising star won a signature event earlier in the season and finished seventh at the Masters. However, his recent form has been inconsistent, including missed cuts and lower finishes in subsequent events. His iron play and putting stats indicate areas for improvement.

Brooks Koepka

The five-time major winner hasn`t replicated his `Big-Game Brooks` form in majors since winning his third PGA Championship in 2023. He has missed the top 15 in his last seven major starts, including a missed cut at the Masters in April.

Justin Rose

Rose, 44, is coming off close calls at last year`s Open Championship and this year`s Masters. While not as long off the tee as before, his consistent play has resulted in five consecutive top-15 finishes at the PGA Championship. He recently withdrew from the Truist Championship due to illness.

Jon Rahm

Rahm has been consistently strong in the LIV Golf League this season with seven top-10 finishes and tied for 14th at the Masters. He missed the cut at last year`s PGA Championship after a difficult start, his first missed cut in a major since 2019.

Hideki Matsuyama

The 2021 Masters champion was in contention at the 2017 PGA Championship held at Quail Hollow before a challenging stretch on the back nine. He secured his 11th PGA Tour win earlier this season in Hawaii.

Viktor Hovland

The reigning FedEx Cup champion appears to have resolved his swing issues, shown by his win at the Valspar Championship and solid finishes at the Masters and RBC Heritage. He previously tied for third at an event held at Quail Hollow.

Joaquín Niemann

The talented Niemann is still seeking his first top-10 result in a major, entering his 24th start. He has had a successful season in the LIV Golf League, winning three times.

Tyrrell Hatton

Hatton has performed well in the PGA Championship, with five top-25 finishes and two top-10s in 10 appearances. He has also won two events on the DP World Tour since October.

Patrick Reed

Reed made a strong Sunday push to finish third at the Masters and is capable of contending at Quail Hollow. In the 2017 PGA Championship, his late charge put him in contention before finishing in a tie for second. He has two previous top-10 finishes at Quail Hollow.

Tommy Fleetwood

An 11-time winner worldwide, Fleetwood is still seeking his first PGA Tour victory. He has consistently performed well in majors, with top-25 finishes in nine of his last 13 starts.

Jordan Spieth

Spieth aims to join the career Grand Slam club by adding The Open Championship to his wins at the Masters, U.S. Open, and The Open (2015 and 2017). He had a perfect 5-0-0 record at Quail Hollow during the 2022 Presidents Cup.

Patrick Cantlay

Cantlay is seeking his first win in over two years and his first major championship title. His driving and iron play have been strong this season, positioning him well within the strokes gained metrics.

Shane Lowry

Lowry`s biggest major focus will be The Open returning to Royal Portrush in July, where he won in 2019. He has played consistently well throughout this season, including a recent tie for second.

Russell Henley

While not among the longest hitters, Henley`s accuracy off the tee, excellent iron play, and solid putting contributed to a top-10 finish at Quail Hollow last year.

Wyndham Clark

Clark`s major championship results have been inconsistent since his surprise win at the 2023 U.S. Open, and his form has varied this season. However, he possesses significant power off the tee and won at Quail Hollow two years ago.

Jason Day

Day, the 2015 PGA Champion, also won at Quail Hollow in 2018 and tied for fourth there last year. He withdrew from the Truist Championship last week for undisclosed reasons.

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Tier III: If Everything Goes Right

This tier features players who could be sleeper candidates for the PGA Championship title. It includes previous major champions, winners on tour this season, and those who have shown signs of a comeback.

Sungjae Im: Despite a mixed record at the PGA Championship historically, he has recent top-10 finishes in majors and has performed well at Quail Hollow.

Keegan Bradley: The 2011 PGA Champion had a strong start to the season but missed the cut at the Masters. He has a good track record of making the cut in the PGA Championship.

Harris English: While more successful in the U.S. Open, English has had positive results at Quail Hollow, including a tie for third in 2023.

Sepp Straka: His major breakthrough was a tie for seventh at the 2023 PGA Championship, and he tied for eighth at Quail Hollow last year. He is coming off a recent PGA Tour victory.

Maverick McNealy: Known for his analytical approach and strong swing.

Thomas Detry: Tied for fourth at last year`s PGA Championship, his best major finish.

Rasmus Højgaard: A PGA Tour rookie with multiple wins on the DP World Tour. Second in European Ryder Cup standings.

Brian Harman: Secured his fourth PGA Tour win recently. Tied for 13th at the 2017 PGA Championship.

Robert MacIntyre: His tie for eighth at last year`s PGA Championship seemed to spark a return to form, leading to two subsequent victories.

Corey Conners: Has posted top-10 finishes in two of the last three majors and has strong results at Quail Hollow.

Andrew Novak: Playing the best golf of his career, with a recent PGA Tour team victory. Second major start.

Sam Burns: Showed improvement in majors with a tie for ninth at the 2024 U.S. Open. Tied for 13th at Quail Hollow last year.

Cameron Smith: A former major champion who has recently shown better form on the LIV Golf League.

Min Woo Lee: Due for a strong major performance after missing the cut and finishing low in recent ones.

Daniel Berger: Returning to the PGA Championship after recovering from a back injury.

Michael Kim: His comeback continues, making his first major cut since 2018 at the Masters. Recently withdrew from an event due to injury.

Max Homa: Despite recent struggles, he is a two-time winner at Quail Hollow (2019, 2022) and showed promising signs at the Masters.

Matt Fitzpatrick: The former U.S. Open champion has described his current form as poor and has not performed well at Quail Hollow historically.

Nicolai Højgaard: Has faced recent struggles in stroke-play events and needs to improve his form for Ryder Cup consideration.

Byeong Hun An: A potential dark horse for a top-10 finish, with a recent win on the DP World Tour and a strong finish at Quail Hollow last year.

Dustin Johnson: Required a special invitation to the field. Ranked lower in the LIV Golf points standings this season.

Sahith Theegala: Expected to have a breakout season but hasn`t had a top-15 finish yet. Struggling with approach shots and driving. Recently withdrew from an event due to injury.

Gary Woodland: His comeback from brain surgery is a significant story. Has posted top-10 finishes at Quail Hollow and maintains good driving distance.

Akshay Bhatia: Shows potential for a strong major finish soon, having tied for third in a significant event previously.

Tom Kim: Returns to Quail Hollow, where his spirited play was a highlight of the 2022 Presidents Cup.

Will Zalatoris: Still working to recover form after back surgery, with his world ranking declining.

Nick Taylor: Ended a streak of missed major cuts at the Masters. Has won three times on tour in recent years.

Si Woo Kim: Has improved his recent form after missing several cuts, with strong finishes in recent events.

Keith Mitchell: Overcame a poor finish to last year with five straight top-25s, including a second-place finish and leading briefly at a recent event. Has top-10s at Quail Hollow.

Sergio Garcia: Last made the PGA Championship cut in 2015. Has recent top-10s in LIV Golf and top-25s at Quail Hollow.

Aaron Rai: Known for accuracy but lacks distance off the tee, which has affected his results at Quail Hollow.

Adam Scott: The 2013 Masters champion has numerous top-10s in majors but only one in his last 21 starts. Has missed the cut in three of his last four PGA Championships.

Tony Finau: Previously a consistent top-10 player in majors, with only one in his last 15 starts.

Mackenzie Hughes: Lives near Quail Hollow and has performed well there, with top-10 finishes in recent years.

Lucas Glover: Had strong results earlier in the season but has struggled recently. Won at Quail Hollow in 2011 and was runner-up in 2009.

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Tier IV: Hey, Miracles Happen

These are the true long shots. For someone from this tier to win, everything would need to align perfectly over four days at Quail Hollow. The PGA Championship has a history of unexpected champions, like Y.E. Yang, Shaun Micheel, and Rich Beem.

• J.T. Poston
• Bud Cauley
• J.J. Spaun
• Phil Mickelson
• Rickie Fowler
• Sam Stevens
• David Puig
• Jake Knapp
• Patrick Rodgers
• Taylor Pendrith
• Denny McCarthy
• Tom Hoge
• Eric Cole
• Austin Eckroat
• Garrick Higgo
• Ryo Hisatsune
• Nico Echavarria
• Matt McCarty
• Ryan Fox
• Davis Thompson
• Davis Riley
• Cam Davis
• Ben Griffin
• Joe Highsmith
• Jacob Bridgeman
• Nick Dunlap
• Kurt Kitayama
• Adam Hadwin
• Lee Hodges
• Taylor Moore
• Christiaan Bezuidenhout
• Cameron Young
• Matt Wallace
• Chris Kirk
• Dean Burmester
• Brian Campbell
• Max Greyserman
• Laurie Canter
• Stephan Jager
• Eugenio Chacarra
• Thorbjørn Olesen
• Karl Vilips
• Matthieu Pavon
• Thriston Lawrence
• Erik van Rooyen

Rickie Fowler, having slipped in the world rankings, received a special invitation. This seemed to motivate him recently, where he started strong. He won at Quail Hollow in 2012 in a playoff.

Phil Mickelson, turning 55 soon, likely has his best golf behind him, but he is the oldest major champion ever (2021 PGA Championship). He has a strong history at Quail Hollow with numerous top-10 finishes and ranks highly in strokes gained metrics there.

Brian Campbell, Joe Highsmith, Karl Vilips, Garrick Higgo, and Ben Griffin have all won PGA Tour events this season.

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Tier V: Happy to Make the Cut

This category includes experienced players trying to maintain tour status and newcomers aiming for more opportunities. They are not expected to contend for the win, though golf always holds the possibility of unexpected results.

• Alex Noren
• Tom McKibbin
• Richard Bland
• Patton Kizzire
• Harry Hall
• John Catlin
• Johnny Keefer
• Séamus Power
• Luke Donald
• Ryan Gerard
• Beau Hossler
• Justin Lower
• Kevin Yu
• Jhonattan Vegas
• Max McGreevy
• Rafael Campos
• Sami Välimäki
• Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen
• Keita Nakajima
• Niklas Norgaard
• Patrick Fishburn
• Daniel van Tonder
• John Parry
• Rico Hoey
• Takumi Kanaya
• Elvis Smylie
• Victor Perez
• Marco Penge

Alex Noren, who tied for 12th in last year`s PGA Championship, recently made his first start of 2025 after dealing with injuries.

At 52, Richard Bland is one of the oldest players in the LIV Golf League and has still been playing well, including recent top-12 finishes.

Tom McKibbin, 22, played at the same club as Rory McIlroy. Despite being one of the longest hitters in LIV Golf, he has struggled significantly with his putting.

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Tier VI: Past Champions

This list comprises former PGA Championship winners not included in the higher tiers. Past champions receive a lifetime exemption into the major. Notable past participants included John Daly and Rich Beem, as well as 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 a senior major. He withdrew from last year`s event.

Rich Beem mentioned insufficient preparation time due to his broadcasting commitments. He missed the cut last year after a challenging opening.

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Tier VII: PGA of America Professionals

These are the top 20 finishers from the PGA Professional Championship held in April.

• Tyler Collet
• Jesse Droemer
• Brian Bergstol
• Michael Block
• Dylan Newman
• Brandon Bingaman
• Ryan Lenahan
• Andre Chi
• John Somers
• Justin Hicks
• Rupe Taylor
• Tom Johnson
• Nic Ishee
• Eric Steger
• Bob Sowards
• Bobby Gates
• Greg Koch
• Timothy Wiseman
• Larkin Gross
• Michael Kartrude

This list includes Michael Block, who captured attention at the 2023 PGA Championship with a hole-in-one and an impressive tie for 15th place, the best finish for a club professional since 1986.

Tyler Collet won the PGA Professional Championship by a dominant 10-stroke margin. This will be his fourth appearance in the PGA Championship.