The PGA Tour heads to Charlotte this week for the signature Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club.
The North Carolina event is the last PGA Tour stop before the PGA Championship kicks off on May 16.
Ahead of the year’s second major, a stacked field is set to compete in this week’s event, with Rory McIlroy, Wyndham Clark, Max Homa, Collin Morikawa and Jordan Spieth all set to feature.
With a $20m prize fund up for grabs, it would be no surprise to see some of the world’s best competing on Sunday evening.
Here, The Golfing Gazette has taken a look at five outsiders who could threaten the leaders over the weekend thanks to their work on the greens.
Speaking during the 2017 PGA Championship, Webb Simpson claimed Quail Hollow’s greens were ‘crazy’ fast. Of course, the setup will be more straightforward for a regular PGA Tour event, but the North Carolina track could help those who are skilled with the short stick.
1. Sahith Theegala
The first impressive putter who could compete this week is Sahith Theegala. The one-time PGA Tour event winner is waiting for his second victory after landing the Fortinet Championship in September 2023.
Despite a victory alluding him in 2024, the American has impressed since the turn of the year, finishing second at the Sentry and the RBC Heritage.
Theegala has only missed two cuts this season and is beginning to compete regularly with the world’s best. But until he adds a couple more wins to his resume, he will still be considered an outside shot for most events.
Per the PGA Tour’s total putting stats, Theegala sits 11th on 110. If he can lower his putting average, which currently sits at 1.731, at The Wells Fargo, he could well compete.
2. Brian Harman
Brian Harman is also enjoying a solid season but isn’t among the favourites in North Carolina.
There have been fleeting signs from the 2023 Open winner, most notably his T2 finish at The Players Championship. However, since his outing at TPC Sawgrass, the lefty has missed two cuts, which included a Friday exit at Augusta.
One part of Harman’s game that has impressed this year has been his putting. Thus far, only four players have recorded a better putting average than the American, one being the completely dominant Scottie Scheffler.
If he can continue his excellent work around the greens, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him in contention this week.
3. Mackenzie Hughes
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Mackenzie Hughes is a name that won’t be mentioned a lot this week, but the Canadian deserves recognition.
Two-time PGA Tour winner Hughes has the pedigree and has been in good form this season. He’s missed just one cut in 2024 and has finished in the top 25 three times.
Furthermore, his work on the greens should give him a chance to at least compete during the weekend.
Per the PGA Tour’s database, the Canadian is in the top ten for the fewest putts per round and ranks sixth for total putting stats.
He’s undoubtedly an outsider, but his ability with the short stick could give him a sniff of competing.
4. Jason Day
13-time PGA Tour winner Jason Day has been threatening to show signs of his former glory in recent weeks.
His most eye-catching outing came at the RBC Heritage, where he tied for 18th on nine-under-par. The Aussie also made the cut at Augusta and has only failed to reach the weekend twice in 2024.
Day is among the tour’s best for one-putt percentage and is 10th for putts per round. Witnessing the 36-year-old rolling back the years would certainly be a sight to behold.
5. Jake Knapp
Finally, Jake Knapp is coming off an excellent week at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson and could continue that form into Quail Hollow.
One-time PGA Tour winner Knapp finished eighth at TPC Craig Ranch and is in good form. The 29-year-old has also tasted victory in 2024, which could see him head to the Wells Fargo with the pressure somewhat off.
Knapp currently has a putting average of 1.745 and has shown his ability to post some low scores this year. A continuation of his good recent form could be on the cards.
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