The2025 PGA Championship teed off at Quail Hollow with situations as robust as anticipated – possibly harder. And whereas Tiger Woods is not within the discipline this week, his voice nonetheless discovered its means onto the course.
In a uncommon second of mid-tournament commentary, Woods posted to X (previously Twitter): “For those who’re enjoying Quail Hole at dwelling, keep in mind precision off the tee, do not get grasping, and set your self up for these troublesome greens. Good luck!”
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For gamers like Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, and Collin Morikawa, the timing of that message could not have been extra pointed.
McIlroy, who’s gained right here 4 occasions, appeared utterly out of rhythm en path to a 74 (+3), together with a brutal double bogey on 16. Thomas, the 2017 champion at Quail, could not discover consistency both, posting a 73 (+2). Morikawa? He was cruising towards pink numbers till the 18th – one dangerous choice, one splash, one double bogey.
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The course did not simply play lengthy – it performed psychological chess. Rain-softened fairways created muddy lies, and the PGA’s selection to not permit most popular lies sparked pushback.
“You spend your complete life studying the right way to management a golf ball, and instantly you have received mud on it,” Scottie Scheffler informed Golf Digest.“It is a crapshoot,” echoed Xander Schauffele on CBS Sports activities.
Gradual Play Provides Gasoline to the Fireplace
On Friday, the frustration shifted from robust turf to ticking clocks. Each Thomas and Morikawa have been hit with sluggish play warnings through the second spherical – a shock, particularly contemplating their previous openness about pace-of-play points.
Earlier this 12 months, Thomas admitted to Golf Channel,“I am on the sluggish aspect of gamers. I need to know why I am sluggish.”Morikawa added, “For those who’re sluggish, you realize you are sluggish. If you do not know, then there’s a problem.”
Now they know. And the irony is not misplaced on anybody, particularly with Patrick Cantlay nonetheless the fan-favorite punching bag after a turtle-induced delay earlier this week led to one other spherical of sluggish play memes.
For Thomas and Morikawa, the timing could not be worse – inconsistent rounds, undesirable penalties, and a rising highlight because the strain mounts.
Again at dwelling, Woods is probably not strolling Quail Hole’s fairways, however his message continues to echo throughout them. For now, his recommendation is trying much less like pleasant steering – and extra just like the solely technique that is working.
