9 Observations from PGA Thursday

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Bonus 2DP today to share some on-the-ground insights from the PGA Championship! I absolutely hoofed it around Quail on Thursday morning, racking up 15K steps in less than 3 hours in an attempt to pack a full tournament experience into a half-day visit. I covered some serious ground and gathered a bunch of intel - here are 9 takeaways from my Thursday at the PGA.

PGA NEWS AND NOTES

#1 - Best Spots to Watch Golf This Weekend

3 spots I’d recommend for those attending the tournament this weekend, which all happen to be on the back 9 (note that I’m a man of the people, so no suite recommendations for you):

The hillside near 17 tee is undefeated at Quail - it’s one of the best hubs of activity on the course, as you can bop between multiple holes and see across the water to 14 green.

I also enjoyed the shady corner of the property right of 15 fairway. Good spot to set up shop if you want to watch multiple groups come through. Position yourself with a down-the-line view to watch players hit the long approach shot into the par 5 15th.

Lastly, I’d be remiss if I didn’t shout out the best hole on the course. Shade and strategy is a good viewing combination at the short par 4 14th.

#2 - Grab and Go

I was skeptical about the “food included” ticket situation, but boy was I wrong! Awesome fan experience to be able to just swing through a concession stand (barely any lines today) and grab a “free” water or breakfast sandwich.

#3 - Normal Dudes

Seeing professional golfers up close is always hilarious - they’re so normal looking! I did have a couple surprises today - Harry Hall is a big dude, and David Puig looks like he’s 120 pounds soaking wet.

#4 - New Look 9th

The new tee at the 9th, which now has the hole playing 531 yards, was the main course change ahead of the PGA. I only saw one group come through, but it looks to have accomplished the goal of bringing the fairway bunker back into play.

#5 - Best Shot I Saw Today

Thriston Lawrence striped a long iron from 219 yards out on the aforementioned 9th, but couldn’t convert the 13-foot birdie putt. Otherwise, it had to be Min Woo Lee’s curling eagle putt from just off the green on 15 (check out the video on our Instagram).

#6 - Drying Out

Lots of mudball talk after round 1, which I was quite surprised by after being at the tournament today. I left thinking the place was drier than expected, and I’m pretty confident that a couple warm, breezy days will set us up for a great weekend.

#7 - 18th Hole

I’ve always been a bit of an 18-at-Quail skeptic (the creek is a bit artificial-looking for my taste), but spending some time out there today may have changed my mind. It’s an intimidating finisher and a fun place to watch approach shots into the elevated green. The hillside right of the fairway JUST missed my list of top viewing spots.

#8 - Mega Group Draw

Quail wasn’t super packed on Thursday morning, but it felt like ~80% of fans were following the Rory/Scottie/Xander group. It was 5-6 deep on the rope line as they were coming through the Green Mile.

#9 - Watching on TV Ain’t So Bad…

An in-person golf viewing truth I learn and forget repeatedly - you can see the course or see golf shots, but it’s very difficult to do both well!

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