Picks for even more 2025 PGA Championship golfers and the PGA Championship favorite to win ahead of the year's second major at Quail Hollow

While Rory McIlroy is clearly the man to beat at the 2025 PGA Championship, he faces a solid group of contenders.

Don’t forget about the LIV players, too. While Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are the favorites to win the 107th PGA Championship, they have plenty of challengers. That includes defending champion Xander Schauffele, who is fifth among the early betting favorites, and the 2017 PGA winner at Quail Hollow, Justin Thomas.

Everyone is excited to see if Rory McIlroy can follow up his memorable and historic Masters victory, which gave him the career Grand Slam. Now, the Northern Irishman looks to capture the PGA Championship title for the first time since 2014.

The PGA Championship has long been the major that has struggled to find an identity outside of getting the top 100 players in the world

Charlotte, N.C., has endured several inches of rain recently but PGA officials made a point of saying preferred lies would not be in effect at Quail Hollow.

This decision stands in stark contrast to the PGA Tour's regular season protocol, where "lift, clean and place" rules are routinely implemented after heavy rainfall. Under these conditions, players can pick up their ball in the fairway to remove mud and find a cleaner lie—a practice that significantly eases the challenge for competitors.