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The Wells Fargo Championship wasn’t contested last year due to the pandemic. It means Max Homa – then a shock winner – is the defending champion having lifted the silverware in 2019. Homa’s victory, achieved with 15-under, continued the tournament’s somewhat unusual pattern of throwing up either elite winners or unconsidered dark horses. For every Rory McIlroy (2015 and 2010), Jason Day (2018) and Rickie Fowler (2012), there’s been a Homa, James Hahn (2016) and Derek Ernst (2013). The course also hosted the 2017 USPGA Championship won by Justin Thomas so going with the better-known names is generally a good move despite those curveballs. Quail Hollow in North Carolina tends to reward distance and that’s no surprise when looking at the scorecard: it’s a par 71 measuring 7,554 yards. With the USPGA being held in South Carolina later this month, this is a good chance for some of the elite to get their games in shape. And several are taking the chance: the top 10 in the betting here are Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele, Rory, Viktor Hovland, Webb Simpson, Tony Finau, Will Zalatoris and Patrick Reed. The USPGA tees off in two weeks meaning the only tournament between now and Kiawah Island is the AT&T Byron Nelson. Angles to consider 1/ Driving Distance Recent champions here, Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy and JB Holmes, all finished 1st for Driving Distance so pumping the ball off the tee is important. In fact, Jason Day once said of Rory: "He can cut corners around here more so than probably any other golf course that I can think off. Some guys are hitting to the corners and he’s hitting over the top and he’s got maybe three or four less clubs in." 2/ Putting Average There was plenty of criticism of the greens before they were relaid and changed from Bent to Bermuda. They’re now overseeded with poa annua. Homa ranked 1st for Putting Average when winning the most recent edition. The previous five winners at Quail Hollow were all ranked in the top seven for that category so it’s a strong recent trend. 3/ Correlating courses Comparing the trophy winners at Quail Hollow throws up several repeat names when looking at the champions at Riviera (Genesis Invitational) and the Golf Club of Houston. Homa strengthened that trend when winning at Riviera earlier this season. Selections The above angles have been used to create a shortlist from which the following players are selected. Bryson DeChambeau Hitting it a million miles doesn’t work everywhere but those Jason Day quotes suggest it does at Quail Hollow. As well as being golf’s longest driver, US Open champ DeChambeau ranks fourth in the field this week for Putting Average over the last eight weeks so he looks to have the ideal game to thrive here. He proved that when fourth on his last start at Quail Hollow and, in addition, BDC was fifth at Riviera in 2020. Viktor Hovland This has been a good venue for hungry, young players and Hovland could be right in the sweet spot. He’s in the top 26% for Driving Distance on the PGA Tour and is wielding a hot putter. He was ranked 1st for Putting Average when T21 at The Masters and also in the top 10 for PA when storming to a third place in last week’s Valspar Championship. A top five at Riviera in February adds another layer of confidence. Patrick Reed Reed finished runner-up at Quail Hollow when it staged the 2017 USPGA Championship. He was also T8 here in 2018 so is definitely a fan of the course. While not the biggest hitter, he’s a demon putter and was fourth for Putting Average at Augusta. These greens are slick too so he should putt well on them. As usual, his looks a little underrated with the bookies. Tips 2-1; +8.50pts 1pt win Bryson DeChambeau at 14/1 (General) 9th 1.5pts e.w. Viktor Hovland at 20/1 (William Hill 1/5 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8) 3rd 1pt e.w. Patrick Reed at 30/1 (William Hill 1/5 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8) 6th
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