CHARLOTTE | No, it’s not about the look of Joe Biden with his aviator glasses. No more than that of Donald Trump with his bright red MAGA cap. It is rather the classic and magnificent course of Quail Hollow which offers a new configuration to this Presidents Cup.
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After narrowly conquering the international team on the fairways of the Royal Melbourne in Australia, the American team returns to the fold on one of its favorite courses in North Carolina.
Adapted for young and talented representatives of the star-spangled banner, this masterpiece whose architectural plans were signed by George Cobb in 1961 and since reviewed by Arnold Palmer, in 1986, and the famous Tom Fazio, in 1997 and 2016 , he is also adored by international golfers.
Advantage Thomas
This famously upscale North Carolina club has been hosting the cream of the PGA Tour for decades. He hides no secrets from the captains and veterans of both teams.
It could be argued that Justin Thomas is off to a head start as he scored his first major triumph there at the PGA Championship of America in 2017.
different route
But on the occasion of this 14e presentation of the biennial Presidents Cup tournament, the competition committee has modified the course in several places.
As explained in the infographic opposite, the famous and arduous “Green Mile” has been moved to the heart of the return. And the numbering of several other pennants has changed.
This week, Quail Hollow won’t be showing its teeth the way it did at the 2017 Grand Slam Championship or the last Wells Fargo Championships. In 2021, this course was ranked fifth among the most difficult on the circuit.
long grass
That will be a different matter this week as the long, dense bermuda grass will not exceed 1.75 inches.
Because of his tenderness despite the beating sun since the beginning of the week, the 7576 yards seem even longer.
“This course is just amazing,” said Thomas. It’s such a good test that is very well suited to this competition. »
“We will be using our driver and middle irons very often because the court is very long and soft. »
gold bars
This course will require power and precision in many places in addition to delicacy around the greens. This is also why the long hitters like the Americans Cameron Young and Tony Finau as well as the Canadian Taylor Pendrith are worth their weight in gold for their respective teams.
Finished in 10e Positioned as the PGA Tour’s hottest hitter in 2022 thanks to his 316.1-yard average, Pendrith is also joined by veteran Adam Scott who took the 15e square. Among this top 20, there are also three Americans.
The winds
According to Jordan Spieth, the veteran of the American team by virtue of this fourth participation in the tournament, the golfers will face two different beasts due to the climatic conditions.
“With the direction of the winds and the temperature dropping on Friday, the conditions will be the opposite,” analyzed the 29-year-old Texan.
New Green Mile
In the original configuration of the course, the renamed sequence of the Green Mile from 16e au 18e is modified to spice up the spectacle of the Presidents Cup. In tournament history, as 76.1% of matches end on the 16the hole, the competition committee saw fit to review the layout. The Green Mile extends this week between the 13e et 15e pennants. A long and dangerous par 3 is at the heart of this grueling sequence that also includes two long par 4s.
Impressive start
Before Tom Fazio made some fixes to the course in 2016, the initial hole launched a round easily. The game plan has changed as a long par 4 of 500 yards welcomes the golfers. If the bleachers around the first mound are impressive at the Ryder Cup, those of the Presidents Cup also make you blush. Two stories high and cramming nearly 3,000 spectators, they form an imposing horseshoe overlooking the starting area.
Power required
Three par 4s exceed 500 yards while three others approach it. That of 13e pennant is impressive since the green is located on a peninsula right in the center of the vast pond. Precision and strategy are key. In addition, three of the four par 3s exceed 200 yards. In practice on Tuesday, Canadian Taylor Pendrith hit a 4-iron from the sixth tee when the goal was 225 yards out with a light breeze from the front… His playmates had opted for hybrids.
Club de golf Quail Hollow
- 7576 verges
- Normal 71
- All | 3665 square meters
- Back | 3911 yds
The big tournaments
1969 to 1979: Kemper of all things
2003 to 2008: Championnat Wachovia
2003 to 2021: Wells Fargo Championship
2017 : PGA of America Championship (Grand Slam)
2022 : Presidents Cup
2025 : PGA of America Championship
Weather forecast
Thursday
- Partly cloudy
- 35 oC
- West/northwest winds
- 12 to 20 mph / gusts 35 mph
Friday
- Sunny
- 25 oC
- North/northeast winds
- 12 to 20 km/h
Saturday
- Sunny
- 27 oC
- Southwest winds
- 10 to 20 km/h / gusts at 25 km/h
Sunday
- Partly cloudy
- 30 oC
- Southwest winds
- 12 to 20 km/h / gusts at 35 km/h
