The countdown is on for the second major of the season: the 2025 PGA Championship. As the excitement builds for fans, players, and analysts alike, this year’s edition is set to be another exciting edition of the tournament. From the venue to the top contenders, here’s everything you need to know before the year’s PGA Championship.
When and Where: The Venue and Dates
The 2025 PGA Championship will be played from May 15–18, 2025, at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. This will be the second time the club has hosted the PGA Championship, the first being in 2017 when Justin Thomas collected his first major.
Quail Hollow is no stranger to big events. It’s a regular stop on the PGA TOUR with the Wells Fargo Championship and was also the site of the 2022 Presidents Cup. The famous “Green Mile” (holes 16-18) is one of the toughest finishes in professional golf.
Course Overview: A True Test of Championship Golf
Quail Hollow is a par-71 layout over 7,600 yards with length, strategy, and fast, undulating greens. The course was renovated in 2016 by Tom Fazio to prepare for major championships, and it’s already a tough track.
The Green Mile is infamous. The 16th is a long par 4 with water down the left. The 17th is a tricky par 3 over water, and the 18th, a 494-yard dogleg right, requires precision under pressure. Whoever wins the Wanamaker Trophy in 2025 will have earned it.
Defending Champion: Xander Schauffele
Xander Schauffele won his first major at the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla with a birdie at the last, beating Bryson DeChambeau and Viktor Hovland. He’s known for his consistency and cool head under pressure and will want to prove he’s not a one-hit wonder.
He’s in good form lately with elite ball striking and better putting, so he’ll be one to watch in Charlotte.
Top Contenders to Watch
Rory McIlroy
Back at the site of his 2010 Quail Hollow win and a two-time PGA Champion, McIlroy loves Charlotte. After a long major drought, he finally completed the Career Grand Slam in the 2025 Masters and will be confident that he will be able to replicate his success from a few weeks back at Augusta.
Scottie Scheffler
Currently, the world’s No. 1, Scheffler has been the most consistent golfer over the past two years. With wins at the Masters and THE PLAYERS, he’s the benchmark for everyone else. If he can keep his putting in check, he could add a PGA Championship title to his impressive CV after finishing second in 2023. He has found form at the right time capturing his first title of the year at this month’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson and will look to continue this at the PGA Championship.
Brooks Koepka
Never count out Koepka in a PGA Championship. A three-time winner of the Wanamaker Trophy (2018, 2019, 2023), Brooks brings a bulldog mentality to majors. When fit and firing, he’s almost a lock to be in contention over the weekend.
Ludvig Åberg
The Swedish youngster has quickly risen through the ranks since turning pro in 2023. With a smooth swing and unshakable confidence, Åberg has already made a splash at the majors and could be due for a breakthrough.
Other Contenders
While the usual suspects get all the attention, it is well worth keeping an eye on the following players:
- Sahith Theegala – Aggressive and improving short game, he’s a win waiting to happen.
- Akshay Bhatia – Lanky lefty has the game to go low and surprise some vets.
- Min Woo Lee – Always fun, Min Woo’s length and creativity suits Quail Hollow.
The LIV Factor
Once again, the PGA Championship is one of the few majors where LIV Golf players can earn exemptions based on past results or world ranking points from previous years. The inclusion of players like Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau, and Dustin Johnson keeps things interesting.
In 2024, DeChambeau was close to victory and reminded us that LIV players can still bring major heat. Expect the inter-tour rivalry to be a storyline.
The Road to Charlotte: How Players Qualify
The PGA Championship has one of the most diverse and inclusive fields of any major. Here’s how players qualify:
- All former PGA Champions
- Winners of the last five majors
- Top 70 players in PGA Championship points standings
- Members of recent Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams
- Invitations to international players and top finishers in select global events
This mix gives us elite talent, rising stars, and veterans.
What’s at Stake: Glory and the Wanamaker
Beyond the $17.5 million purse and the Wanamaker Trophy, a win at the PGA Championship seals a player’s legacy. It gets them into the other majors, the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup, and a five-year PGA TOUR exemption. For some, it’s a career-defining moment. For a select few, it’s just another chapter in the Hall of Fame book.
How to Watch
CBS and ESPN will have coverage, with ESPN+ and Paramount+ streaming options. Tuesday’s practice rounds to Sunday’s finale will be wall-to-wall with featured groups, shot trackers, and real-time analytics.