Feathers May Fly at Quail Hollow

The man behind the changes, Quail Hollow President Johnny Harris described the intended effect of them as, “All of it has made it more important to hit all the clubs in your bag."

Aside of the top PGA Tour professionals, household names such as Jordan Spieth, world number-one Dustin Johnson, defending champion Walker and his predecessors Jason Day and Rory McIlroy, recently crowned U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka and, fresh from his daughter’s graduation which caused him to miss the U.S. Open, Phil Mickelson, 2005 PGA Championship winner - minus his long-term caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay - 20 PGA club professionals from the PGA Professionals Championship get a share of the limelight.

But whilst an Omar Uresti, Kenny Pigman or JJ Wood may feature in the early stages, don’t expect any of them, even the wonderfully-named Rich Barbarian Jr or Greg Gregory to be anywhere near the top come Sunday afternoon.

Rising English stars like Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrell Hatton, who enjoyed a top-10 finish last year may well feature again, as could Henrik Stenson and Martin Kaymer, tied sixth in 2016. U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka, tied third behind Walker and Day at Baltusrol in 2016, whilst another Englishman, U.S.-based Paul Casey’s recent return to form could see his win in what will be his 55th ‘Major’ championship start.