The2025 PGA Championship teed off at Quail Hollow with conditions as tough as expected – maybe tougher. And while Tiger Woods isn’t in the field this week, his voice still found its way onto the course.
In a rare moment of mid-tournament commentary, Woods posted to X (formerly Twitter): “If you’re playing Quail Hollow at home, remember precision off the tee, don’t get greedy, and set yourself up for those difficult greens. Good luck!”
For players like Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, and Collin Morikawa, the timing of that message couldn’t have been more pointed.
McIlroy, who’s won here four times, looked completely out of rhythm en route to a 74 (+3), including a brutal double bogey on 16. Thomas, the 2017 champion at Quail, couldn’t find consistency either, posting a 73 (+2). Morikawa? He was cruising toward red numbers until the 18th – one bad decision, one splash, one double bogey.
The course didn’t just play long – it played mental chess. Rain-softened fairways created muddy lies, and the PGA’s choice not to allow preferred lies sparked pushback.
“You spend your whole life learning how to control a golf ball, and suddenly you’ve got mud on it,” Scottie Scheffler told Golf Digest.“It’s a crapshoot,” echoed Xander Schauffele on CBS Sports.
Slow Play Adds Fuel to the Fire
On Friday, the frustration shifted from tough turf to ticking clocks. Both Thomas and Morikawa were hit with slow play warnings during the second round – a surprise, especially considering their past openness about pace-of-play issues.
Earlier this year, Thomas admitted to Golf Channel,“I’m on the slow side of players. I want to know why I’m slow.”Morikawa added, “If you’re slow, you know you’re slow. If you don’t know, then there’s an issue.”
Now they know. And the irony isn’t lost on anyone, especially with Patrick Cantlay still the fan-favorite punching bag after a turtle-induced delay earlier this week led to another round of slow play memes.
For Thomas and Morikawa, the timing couldn’t be worse – inconsistent rounds, unwanted penalties, and a growing spotlight as the pressure mounts.
Back at home, Woods may not be walking Quail Hollow’s fairways, but his message continues to echo across them. For now, his advice is looking less like friendly guidance – and more like the only strategy that’s working.
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