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Wells Fargo Championship Preview
Affinity for a course suggests that Rory McIlroy should be cast in the role of favorite this week at Charlotte. Unfortunately for the 2013 PGA champion, 2010 Wells Fargo Championship winner and 2012 runner-up, his current form repudiates any such assertion. McIlroy’s last contest was The Masters, where a wretched, third-round 79 condemned him to a 25th-place tie. The defending champion (Rickie Fowler) has yet to play out of a similar malaise (t-38 finish in Augusta,) placing 32nd last week in New Orleans.
Looking beyond the two media darlings offers an unlikely yet unavoidable third consideration. D.A. Points, the other non-winner (at McIlroy’s side) in last year’s playoff, is a winner this year (Shell Houston Open) on the PGA Tour and is listed in the top 30 for both FedEx Cup points and official money. Points is quite unpredictable, having missed the cut in seven of 13 Tour appearances in 2013, with one other finish (beyond the victory) in the top 35: his runner-up last week in New Orleans. In other words, he is an all-or-nothing pick. In four previous appearances at Quail Hollow, Points missed each 36-hole cut three times. That he led the field in successful scrambling (getting up and down for par 85 percent of the time) might have been the key to his near-miss.
Another cast for a victor might reel in former WFC winner Lucas Glover. Although his form has been inconsistent in 2013, he might have found the needed balance last week in New Orleans, where he placed fourth. Phil Mickelson would normally make the “A List” of contestants, as his record at Quail Hollow, resplendent with top-10 finishes, lacks only a title. The state of his game, though, advocates for caution. Other than a win in Phoenix and a tie for third at Doral, Lefty has no other top-10 finishes this season.
Less-likely trophy-grabbers but certainly under consideration for a variety of reasons are Bill Haas and Webb Simpson (regional comfort and familiarity), Ricky Barnes and Kyle Stanley (talented golfers awaking from a slumber) and the winner last week in the Crescent City, Billy Horschel. While it’s quite rare for players to win back-to-back events, Horschel has shown that he can play well on any course. His first appearance in Charlotte could produce fireworks.
Missing this year is Tiger Woods, the 2007 champion. Woods would certainly have featured among the pre-tournament favorites. He is the only current professional for whom a top-five finish at a major is considered a disappointment. Despite the hullabaloo that surrounded his penalty at Augusta, Woods endures as favorite in any event for which he registers.
The Course
Six par 4s listed beyond 450 yards in length, including four beyond 475. Par 3s that extend to 250 yards and par 5 holes that fall in the 550-600 yard category. Quail Hollow might be dismissed as long-hitter’s paradise, save for the fact that players like David Toms, Joey Sindelar and Jim Furyk have hoisted the winner’s chalice on Sunday. The Charlotte club will host its first major championship, the 2017 PGA, affirming that the course is laden with strategic decisions and reputable architecture. A win at the Wells Fargo Championship elevates the player’s stature nearly to that of a major champion. It is one of an elite handful of Tour events that transcends its “regular-class” definition.
Despite the closing stretch of water-logged holes (paid due respect later), the dominant natural feature of Quail Hollow is its mature trees. Far from the open, links or heath style of course that is currently the darling of world golf, Quail Hollow remains true to its parkland heritage. Pines, oaks, maple, holly, dogwood and spruce frame fairways and enclose corridors from elevated tees to sunken greens (and vice-versa.)
There are few courses without a signature stretch these days. If it didn’t begin with the “Amen Corner” at Augusta, that triad certainly churned the waters with its notoriety. The Quail Hollow club is no exception to this trend and its “Green Mile” begins on the 16th tee. After the statistically-simple, par 5 No. 15 (rated easiest hole in the 2012 playing,) the 4-3-4 closing triumvirate demands middle-iron selections, if not more, on all approach shots. No. 16 doglegs to the right, around an immense bunker tucked on the inside corner of the fairway. From there, the hole flows in serpentine fashion to a large, rugged putting surface. Safe arrival in regulation is no guarantee of par, as the undulations, knobs and rumples of the green make it quite challenging to negotiate.
The penultimate hole is a one-shot affair, nearly 220 yards across an inlet of the lake first seen on No. 14. The green exposes more than half of its circumference to the water, while leaving no margin to the timid who play dryly to the right. If the winds awaken on Sunday, as they have for past celebrations, the hole transforms into a survival mission. Successful reconciliation of Nos. 16 and 17 might leave the player a bit unaware of the hazards that await on the final stretch of the “Mile.” A narrow stream runs the length of the hole on the left, precisely the direction in which players err to avoid the fairway bunker up the right perimeter. Like most George Cobb greens, No. 18 offers a healthy host of hole locations, given its gargantuan size. The need to pound a driver up a narrow, well-guarded fairway with the tournament on the line is a sought-after skill. To follow it up with an accurate approach of no small distance and a solid putt or two is the mark of a select player.
Viewing
Tickets for the 2013 playing of the Wells Fargo Championship are sold out. The event will be broadcast on the Golf Channel on Thursday and Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., and again on Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 2:30 p.m.. CBS will take over coverage on both weekend days, from 3 to 6 p.m.
Verdict
After 10 playings of the tournament and four playoffs, extra holes are somewhat likely. The ability to protect a lead down the closing sequence of holes, even in the best players, is suspect and unlikely. Seven third-round leaders gave up their advantage on Sunday, losing the tournament to final-day climbers. None was more dramatic that Rory McIlroy in 2010. The Ulsterman signed for a tournament-record 62 (10 under par) to scorch past a host of golfers and earn a four-stroke victory. Odds don’t favor the third-round leader, but it’s the predicting which follower will play his best on Sunday that proves difficult.
GolfWRX is on site this week at the Memorial Tournament, with both Alistair Cameron and Tour Photographer Greg Moore on the ground in Dublin, Ohio, where a strong field is assembled to pay homage to the Golden Bear.
In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
WITB Albums
- Jason Day – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
- Chris Gotterup – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
- SungJae Im – WITB – 2026 The Memorial
Pullout Albums
- Jason Day’s 1off Payntr golf shoes – 2026 The Memorial
- JT Poston’s TaylorMade Spider – 2026 The Memorial
- Cameron putter – 2026 The Memorial
- Tommy Fleetwood’s TM Spider putters – 2026 The Memorial
- New Mitsubishi Chemical 1K Pro Orange shaft – 2026 The Memorial
Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.
Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.
PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole
Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.
Both golfers found the fairway off the tee, and Henley improved on his regulation play with an approach to four feet. Cole did himself proud, tucking an iron to a dozen feet, but he was unable to convert the putt for three. Henley is one of the best putters on tour, and he proved it once more by draining a putt for a fourth consecutive birdie, and a sixth PGA Tour title. For Eric Cole, that first victory should come, and soon. He has done everything necessary to earn the chalice lift.
Henley’s Suitcase
- Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
- Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
- Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
- Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
- Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
- Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
- Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
- Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
- Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype
LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!
Soo Bin Joo had her eyes on a maiden LPGA title. She held the lead after two rounds, then hit a red light at the intersection of can-I and how-To. Joo posted plus-two on day three in New Jersey, and dropped to a T4 finish, which was still a career-best for the young Korean golfer. Instead of a new face, a familiar face returned to the top of the podium.
Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.
Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.
Celine’s Suitcase
- Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
- Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
- Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
- Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
- Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
- Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
- Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS
DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!
Kota Kaneko has a rhythmic name. It has strong vowels and a run of voiceless stops in its crunchy K sounds. On Sunday in Austria, Kaneko put a stop to a challenge from Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and everyone else, and claimed a first-ever title on the DP World Tour. Gouveia did well to reach 16-under par over four days, but Kaneko held firm, two shots in the clear.
Davis Bryant of the USA also forged a strong challenge for the win. He ended in a tie with Gouveia for second place. Kaneko began and finished his final round in a bit of a malaise, but he caught fire midway through. Birdies at 10, 12, and 13 provided the necessary cushion to cruise to the finish line without breaking a serious sweat.
Kaneko’s Suitcase
- Driver: Ping Max G440
- Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
- Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
- Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
- Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
- Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7
Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro
Alvaro Ortiz may have had a bit of scare on the outward nine on Sunday, but he came through in clutch fashion in the end. Ortiz began the day bogey-double, and added another double bogey at the 11th hole. He was mired in a downward trend, spiraling away from the top of the leader’s board. Ortiz found hope at the 14th, where his first birdie of the day tumbled home. Inspired, he closed with birdies and 17 and 18 to catch Ross Steelman at 10-under par, and the duo returned to the 18th deck for overtime.
The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.
Alvaro’s Suitcase
- Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
- Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
- Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
- Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
- Wedges
- Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C
A party on the green!
Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 31, 2026
LIV @ Korea: Me llamo Joaquin
Chile’s Joaquin Niemann had been away from the LIV winner’s circle throughout all of 2026. This week in Korea, he reminded us that he is still a force to consider. Niemann chased down Taylor Gooch over the closing holes at Asiad Country Club, then claimed victory with a hole-one birdie in extra time. Bryson DeChambeau claimed solo third, one shot in arrears at minus-eleven. Dustin Johnson finished on fourth, one putt farther back.
Niemann’s Suitcase
- Driver: Ping 440 LST
- Metal: Ping G440 Max at 15 degrees
- Metal: Ping G425 Max at 21 degrees
- Hybrid: Ping G430 at 25 degrees
- Irons: Ping Blueprint S 5 through PW
- Wedges: Ping S159 at 52, 56, and 60 degrees
- Putter: Ping PLD Anser
Driver: Titleist TSi3 (10 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 6.5 TX
3-wood: Titleist TS3 (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
7-wood: Titleist GTS3 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Project X Denali Black 80 TX
Irons: Titleist T250 (4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (7-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 (48-10F @47, 50-08F @51, 54-10S @55, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48), S400 (47)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Russell Henley’s winning WITB: 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
Photos from the 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
CJ Cup Byron Nelson Tour Report: Koepka and Kim’s newest putters finally get hot
Charles Schwab Challenge Tour Report: MacIntyre, Åberg and Spaun all switch putters, TaylorMade launches new Spider
Details on J.J. Spaun’s surprise putter switch
GolfWRX Launch Report: 2026 Titleist GTS drivers
Photos from the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge
PGA Championship Tour Report: Fitzpatrick, Koepka among big-name putter switches for Aronimink
Photos from the ShopRite LPGA
Maria Torres WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4 5-wood: Ping G440...
Eric Cole WITB 2026 (June)
Driver: PXG Lightning Tour Max (9 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees) Shaft:...
Si Woo Kim WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond (8.5 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X Mini driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Mini...
Wyndham Clark’s winning WITB: 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (10.5 degrees) Shaft: Project X Titan Yellow 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D Tour (15 degrees) Shaft: Project...
Ronald Montesano
May 4, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Writer’s Confession: Billy Horschel took the week off and did not tee it up at the Wells Fargo Championship.
Ronald Montesano
May 3, 2013 at 6:10 am
Hey, Golflaw…interesting comment. Can you be more specific about the problems? Are they patchy? Thatchy? I know that the winter in the Carolinas has been topsy-turvey and sometimes green conditions suffer. Word is that they want to go back to Bermuda from Bent. Have you heard that? What about the resodding of #8 and 3#10 greens, just prior to the tournament?
Golflaw
May 2, 2013 at 9:21 pm
The greens at that golf course are abominable.if that happened et my club the members would be looking to fire the greens keeper. It wouldn’t happen absent a misapplication of some chemical or some fungus.