What to Watch For – 2019 Wells Fargo Championship

One of the toughest tests throughout the year that isn’t a major is upon us as the PGA Tour is in Charlotte, NC for the Wells Fargo Championship. It’s an exciting week for us golf fans that live in and around Charlotte, and we have reason for that excitement yet again with a star-studded field.

Even if you don’t live around here and enjoy the tournament from the luxury of your living room, you’re certainly in for another treat.

Tiger Woods, left, and Brooks Koepka, right, finish their round on…

Tiger Woods, left, and Brooks Koepka, right, finish their round on the 18th green at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., during third-round action in the Wells Fargo Championship on Saturday, May… Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

Quail Hollow Club is most famous for the treacherous ‘Green Mile’ that consists of holes 16, 17, and 18. Visually intimidating by knowing water is in play on potentially every shot on that stretch of holes can play mind games. Even on 16 and 17, if you must pitch across the green toward the water, you’re potentially in for a world of hurt.

Taking away these three holes, this is still a tough golf course. Take the first hole for example, it’s going to play upwards of 500 yards and it’s a bendy par-4. The 6^th hole can play up to nearly 250 yards as a par-3. The three par-5s are no sleepers either: the 7^th has water in play for every shot, the 10^th is a long dogleg with bunkers in play off the tee and the approach, and the 15^th requires a massive uphill approach that more times than not won’t hold the green if you’re fortunate enough to make it.

Another thing that’s overlooked on this course and most others on the PGA Tour is the walk, this isn’t the easiest golf course to walk (I’ve done this quite a bit and it’s certainly no picnic). The caddies will earn their paycheck this week.

James Hahn hoists the Wells Fargo Championship trophy after defeating…

James Hahn hoists the Wells Fargo Championship trophy after defeating Roberto Castro in the Wells Fargo Championship on Sunday, May 8 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

When it comes to projecting a winner at this tournament, most everyone’s guess is as good as mine. There have been winners such as Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, and Jason Day who were expected to win, but we’ve had guys like James Hahn who won in 2016. No disrespect to James Hahn, but who saw that coming and what has he done since? This year will be no different as Day, Fowler, McIlroy, and Rose are the favorites, but a big-name player is no guarantee to take home the $1.4 million purse.

Rickie Fowler, right, speaks with his caddie prior to hitting from…

Rickie Fowler, right, speaks with his caddie prior to hitting from the 13th tee during the second round of the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., on Friday, May 4, 2018. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

My favorite this week is Rickie Fowler due to his form coming into this tournament and has past success at Quail Hollow Club. He’s got a favorable tee time on Thursday by starting on the front-nine, meaning he’ll get through the Green Mile on Friday morning while the temperatures are still fairly low and the greens won’t be dried out.

Another guy I’ll be watching out for is Hideki Matsuyama. He’s been far too quiet since his injury last spring, and he too has had success on this golf course.

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan plays his tee shot on the sixth hole during…

Hideki Matsuyama of Japan plays his tee shot on the sixth hole during the third round of the 2018 Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club on May 5, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

Having Tiger Woods not come back this year was a slight bummer when the news became official last week, but we’re all excited for this tournament as always. Ever since the PGA Championship came through here in 2017 and the future arrival of the President’s Cup in 2021, the surrounding Charlotte area has increased the support for the PGA Tour and Wells Fargo for continually coming back.

I hope you all enjoy the Wells Fargo Championship and I’ll be talking with you again next week.

Side note: I will be volunteering on 17 Lakeside Chalet on Friday and Sunday. If and when you come around to that part of the course, please feel free to come by and say hello. Have a great tournament everyone!

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