RADIO
It's been pretty tough to be a golf fan the last couple of weeks, even for us hardcore degens. After the team format of the Zurich Classic - an event I at least give credit to for trying something unique - the PGA Tour patronized us with the"gift" of the CJ CUP Byron Nelson, an amalgamation of multiple events that were combined together in a corporate stew brewed up solely to keep sponsorship dollars rolling in. It's a trick the Tour learned long ago that they could pull off, they've just never bothered to wonder if they should be putting these half-baked, watered-down tournaments out into the world.
While there are certainly some large and concerning issues floating around in the professional golf ether at the moment, we do have a legitimately exciting stretch of golf ahead over the next month. That starts with this week's Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow.
Horse For The Course is an article that highlights players in this week's field with elite course history and is part of our free PGA DFS content here at RotoBaller. For my favorite DFS plays of the week check out my Core Four article here at RotoBaller every Wednesday. It's part of our amazing PGA Premium package that includes an all-new PGA Research Station, Lineup Builder & Optimizer, and some of the best articles in the PGA DFS industry! You can sign up now using Promo Code: NICE for an extra discount at checkout!
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2024 Wells Fargo Championship
Following a less-than-stellar stretch on the schedule, the PGA Tour heads to Quail Hollow for the Wells Fargo Championship, an event that's always been one to circle on the calendar, even before earning "Signature Event" status this year.
This golf course has its haters in the golf architecture community, though some will defend Quail Hollow as a layout that at least offers the modern pros a (usually) challenging test. However, Wyndham Clark did slice the North Carolina track - and the competition - with ease last year, finishing at 19-under par for the week, four shots clear of his nearest competitor. It was a coming-out party for Clark, who went on to win the 2023 U.S. Open and has remained a force this year.
He'll look to defend his Wells Fargo crown this week against the best the PGA Tour currently has to offer with one HUGE exception, as Scottie Scheffler remains on baby watch and is the only eligible player not teeing it up this week. Every other big name will be in attendance at Quail Hollow, as we get a quasi-preview of the upcoming PGA Championship. This is a good one...let's get into it!
You can also find out who the smart money is on by checking out Spencer Aguiar's PGA DFS: Vegas Report every week. And be sure to read all of our other top-notch weekly PGA DFS articles to help you win big! This week's Horse For The Course contains excerpts from my Masters Bible, which contains outlooks for every player in this year's field. You can find it free by clicking here.
The Course: Quail Hollow Golf Club
Par 71 - 7,558 Yards, Greens: Bermuda, Designed By: George Cobb (Tom Fazio Renovations)
Originally designed by George Cobb in 1961, Quail Hollow has always presented players with the daunting closing stretch dubbed the "Green Mile", but a Tom Fazio upgrade prior to hosting the 2017 PGA Championship puts the North Carolina layout in the conversation for one of the tougher tests on the Tour schedule.
The first thing that jumps out is Quail Hollow's length. At almost 7,600 yards, a golfer's distance will play an important factor this week. Players will be using the big dog often, which makes me very interested in a player's prowess off the tee. Ball striking will be important, as it seemingly is every week. We must also consider scrambling ability and bogey avoidance on this tough layout.
Recent Wells Fargo Winners
- 2023: Wyndham Clark (-19)
- 2022: Max Homa (-8) *Held At TPC Potomac
- 2021: Rory McIlroy (-10)
- 2020: N/A
- 2019: Max Homa (-15)
The Horse
Rory McIlroy
Don't stop believin'. After what's been a rocky start to the year for Rory McIlroy - a stretch that's included yet another Masters disappointment and overall mediocre play on U.S. soil - the superstar might have found some positive mojo in the strangest of places by teaming with good friend Shane Lowry to win the Zurich Classic two weeks ago, a victory that resulted in some feel-good viral celebrations for Rors and Shane.
The confidence booster couldn't have come at a better time for McIlroy, as he enters a stretch of the schedule that contains two major championships and three Signature Events across the next seven weeks. We could see the good vibes continue this week at Quail Hollow, a course that's been a happy hunting ground for McIlroy throughout his career.
He picked up his first career PGA Tour victory at Quail in 2010, a win that kicked off a dominant stretch on the Carolina layout. McIlroy has all-told recorded three wins and five additional top-10 finishes across his 11 career starts at Quail Hollow. With his elite course history, positive momentum in tow from his New Orleans adventure, and Scottie Scheffler on baby watch in Texas, this week presents a real opening for Rory to get his nose in the 2024 fight as he continues to chase his elusive fifth career major championship.
The Ponies
Xander Schauffele
Not really sure what we can say about Xander Schauffele, as offering equal doses of effusive praise and harsh criticism seems to somehow be appropriate for the Californian, who has performed at an unquestionably elite level this year, yet has zero wins or notable achievements to show for it. That's just kinda how it goes when you back the X-Man.
He's been an absolute top-10 machine this year, racking up seven across his 10 starts in 2024. Outside of showing just a little wobble at Hilton Head - a weird course that was played in tough conditions this year - the X-Man has been near flawless in every aspect of the game. With Scheffler not in the field this week, Schauffele grades out first among these elite Wells Fargo entrants in SG: Total.
His Quail Hollow experience isn't extensive, but it is strong - especially when coupled with his 2024 form. Schauffele logged a runner-up finish to Wyndham Clark in last year's edition of the Wells Fargo and also has a T14 on his Quail CV from 2021.
Max Homa
Following a huge 2023 campaign, the California native was relatively quiet during the West Coast Swing portion of the schedule this year, a block on the calendar where he normally dominates. However, Homa announced his presence with authority at the Masters by playing beautifully at Augusta National. He was in serious contention throughout the week before ultimately succumbing to what felt like an inevitable Scottie Scheffler charge and settling for a share of third place.
Homa almost certainly came away from the Masters with loads of positives after securing his best-ever finish in a major. His performance at Augusta was a great reminder that Max usually brings his best on the toughest of golf courses. Among his six career PGA Tour victories he's won at Riviera, Torrey Pines, and, yes...Quail Hollow. A T8 in the Tour's return to Carolina last year demonstrates that Homa hasn't lost his touch on this beastly layout. It will be interesting to see if his Masters run kickstarts a summer run for the fan favorite. It could begin this week.
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Tommy Fleetwood
First of all, let's all send some prayers/positive thoughts to Tommy's longtime friend and caddie Ian Finnis, who recently had to undergo open-heart surgery. As someone who has had some heart issues, I can tell you it's scary and no joke, so I hope the big guy gets well soon.
Augusta National legend Gray Moore was on Fleetwood's bag for a stout T3 performance at the Masters and he'll likely use TaylorMade Tour manager Adrian Rietveld this week and for the majority of Finnis' absence. No matter who is on the bag, the Englishman is already well-acquainted with this North Carolina layout, as he recorded a T5 in last year's Wells Fargo, as well as a T14 in the 2021 edition.
There was an obvious Masters hangover in his most recent outing at the RBC Heritage, though the Englishman has now put together top-10 finishes in half of his last six starts. His consistency and explosive scoring ability on difficult golf courses make him one to watch this week.
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