4th May 2021 | Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo Golf Trends
A strong field heads to North Carolina for the Wells Fargo Championship. We examine the trends of past winners.
Bentgrass greens were relaid with Bermuda grass in advance of the 2014 tournament along with tweaks to the 4th, 16th and 17th holes. However the overall complexion of the event hasn’t changed much. The demanding finish still exists, with the closing three holes, nicknamed the ‘Green Mile’ a daunting prospect.
Before players can even think about the finish, there is the rest of a 7,600-yard course to negotiate. Fairways are amongst the hardest to hit on tour, with Quail Hollow ranking fourth lowest for driving accuracy in 2014.
Recent trends at the Wells Fargo Championship are strong.
We are using Rory McIlroy’s 2014 numbers because he was injured for most of 2015.
Top-70 on tour for driving distance
Quail Hollow is usually a bomber’s course with Max Homa still in the top-50 for driving distance despite not seemingly a big hitter.
Top-70 on tour for total driving
Quail Hollow had the third hardest fairways to hit on tour in 2012 and fourth hardest in 2014; accuracy is as important as length off the tee.
Top-70 on tour for 1-putt percentage
Recent winners like Rickie Fowler, Rory McIlroy and JB Holmes all won despite ranking outside the top-100 on tour for strokes gained putting but they made putts when they needed to. Six of the last 8 champions ranked inside the top-70 for one-putt percentage.
Players that fit all three trends:
Cameron Tringale
Justin Thomas
Patrick Cantlay
Rory McIlroy
Xander Schauffele
Odds correct at time of publishing: 20:24 4th May, 2021 but subject to change
