The Loop

Quail Hollow to undergo drastic changes for 2017 PGA Championship

May 10, 2016
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James Hahn won last week's Wells Fargo Championship with a nine-under score. Don't expect that number to hold when the Wanamaker Trophy arrives at Quail Hollow next August.

To prepare for the 2017 PGA Championship, the course is undergoing major changes. The facelift will be primarily focused on the front nine, which is receiving three new holes.

According to Myrtle Beach Online, Quail Hollow's first hole will be dramatically lengthened, to the point that the second hole will be eliminated to allow proper space for No. 1 green. The 570-yard, par-5 fifth will also be removed to make way for a new par-3 and par-4.

The 11th is likely to be altered as well, with plans to make a fairway bunker more challenging off the tee.

Finally, the greens will be reworked from MiniVerde to Champion, although both are variations of ultra dwarf Bermudagrass.

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"I’ve seen the plans for this golf course and it’s only going to make it tougher," said Justin Rose. "It’s going to be in August, so right now we’re playing a nice overseed, which I think is much easier to chip out of. With Bermuda [grass] rough you’ll get flyers and I think the golf course will play incredibly difficult.”

Because the Wells Fargo Championship is moving to Eagle Point Golf Club in Wilmington next year, the course will get more time to mature for the PGA. To Phil Mickelson, these modifications could lead to higher scores.

“Can you imagine this golf course with severe rough where you have to play very defensive?” Mickelson said. “I think over par would end up winning it. It’s a very difficult test. The greens are very challenging and yet its greatness kind of comes out."