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Happy Truist Championship week! I’m out of town and sad to miss out on the action, but a round at Jekyll Island’s Great Dunes course later today will help ease the pain.
While I wasn’t able to visit Quail Hollow, I did get enough on-the-ground insight from my #sources to assemble some hot takes on what will happen at the tournament. Check out our bold predictions for the 2026 Truist Championship, plus the latest news stories from the world of Charlotte and Carolinas golf, in this week’s newsletter.
PRESENTED BY
THIS WEEK’S HEADLINE
3 Bold Predictions for the 2026 Truist Championship
Photo Credit: Brandon Smith, the smaller-than-normal buildout around the 18th green at Quail Hollow
Charlotte’s annual PGA TOUR stop is back with a new title sponsor, which brings some novelty to an event and course that we’ve seen a lot of in recent years. We’ve written a bit in the last couple weeks about what you might expect from this year’s event, but now it’s time to start making some declarations about exactly what will go down over the next 4 days. As the action begins this morning, here are our 3 bold predictions for the 2026 Truist Championship.
Rory Wins
Picking an outright winner in a professional golf tournament is inherently a bold proposition, but this one feels a little less so given the selection and venue. The 3-time champion has repeatedly professed his love for Quail Hollow over the years and seems extra motivated after his recent Masters triumph. He might not actually care about winning this event given his renewed focus on major championships, which could, ironically, help his chances this week. Add in a bit of rain to the forecast that could soften up the golf course and things are looking up for Rory McIlroy.
Photo Credit: Brandon Smith, Truist branding at the 3rd tee
Fitzy Heater Ends
I don’t necessarily want this prediction to come true, but you’d rather sell early than hold on a little too long. Matt finished in the top 10 at the 2025 PGA Championship here, and Wake Forest-alum Alex is probably feeling back at home in North Carolina, but we’re calling MC for both Fitzpatrick brothers this week. They both deserve a weekend off after what has been an incredible start to 2026.
Photo Credit: Brandon Smith, Signage along the entrance walkway near the range
Onsite Atmosphere Whimpers
I’m the furthest thing from a Charlotte golf hater - I write 1,000+ words about the subject every week! That said, I am a little concerned about the potential fan turnout this weekend.
Truist is clearly pushing for a different fan experience than what we’ve grown accustomed to with Wells Fargo - less grandstands, smaller buildout, and more emphasis on getting fans closer to the action. They are taking a page out of the Augusta National playbook, but I’m not sure it’s going to work.
Don’t get me wrong - the Charlotte community has supported this event very well in the past, but my hunch is that a lot of the attendance and excitement was driven by corporate hospitality and the prospect of an open bar in a greenside suite. My mental math says less corporate hospitality + iffy weather forecast = sleepier atmosphere, but I could certainly be missing a variable in there somewhere. Please prove me wrong!
PRESENTED BY TWILIGHT GOLF CLUB
TGC is a CGA member club that supports equitable access to golf in North Carolina. With an active chapter in Charlotte, it’s a great way to meet other passionate golfers in town and play some competitive golf in a casual setting. Annual dues are $60 per year giving members access to:
A members-only Slack channel.
GHIN Handicap hosting under Twilight Golf Club, a $35 value.
Participation in Twilight Summer League, a season-long event consisting of a series 9-hole matches at courses across the city.
Access to Twilight Golf Club events hosted at great courses across the state, including the annual Club Championship for all chapters (includes Triad and Raleigh chapters).
Want to get involved? Visit the website for more details.
STORIES TO TRACK
Takenaga/Sanders Prevail at Carolinas Four-Ball: Youth won out at Camden Country Club, as Dylan Takenaga and Reece Sanders outlasted Davis Wotnosky and Payton Schmitt in a 20-hole, all-teenager championship match. Mid-Amateurs Jordan Sease and Sam Jackson medaled in the stroke play portion but were knocked out in the semifinals by the eventual champions. View full scoring.
Connor Doyal Qualifies for PGA Tour Event: A Kiawah Island caddie and former Charleston City Amateur champion, Doyal fired at 65 (-7) in the Monday Qualifier earlier this week to secure a spot in the field at the Myrtle Beach Classic. Doyal also recently won the Terra Cotta Invitational, a prestigious amateur event held annually at Naples National Golf Club.
U.S. Open Local Qualifying Rolls On Across the Carolinas: Journeyman tour pro Ryan Sullivan was the medalist at River Landing, while Pinehurst native and Cradle course record-holder Jackson Van Paris led the way at Secession Golf Club. Final Qualifying takes place on June 8th.
Charlie Sifford Statue Officially Unveiled: The statue is part of the Charlotte Walk of History in Elizabeth Park near Uptown. The namesake of our local 9-hole muni was the first Black player to compete on the PGA TOUR.
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