The 2025 PGA Championship: A Deep Dive Into the Toughest Holes at Quail Hollow
If you tuned into the 2025 PGA Championship, you probably felt the sweat trickling down your brow as players tackled the daunting finishing stretch at Quail Hollow. Let’s just say that the par-4 18th hole was no walk in the park, averaging a grueling 4.410 strokes—making it the toughest hole of the entire tournament. Cringe-worthy, right? As if that wasn’t enough, the 17th hole wasn’t exactly a cakewalk either, ranking as the second most challenging. Together, these two holes turned what should’ve been a celebratory finish into a pressure cooker, contributing to one of the most hair-raising closing sequences in major championship golf.
So, how did the rest of the holes stack up against this brutal finale? Spoiler: They didn’t hold back either. In this article, let’s take a thrilling ride through each hole of the 2025 PGA Championship, ranked from hardest to easiest. You’re going to want to sit down for this one!
Hole-by-Hole Breakdown
Let’s kick things off with a detailed breakdown of each hole, giving you the lowdown on scoring averages, par details, and yardage. For golf nerds—or just enthusiastic fans—this will scratch that analytical itch!
| Rank | Hole | Par | Yards | Avg Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | 4 | 494 | 4.410 |
| 2 | 17 | 3 | 223 | 3.394 |
| 3 | 16 | 4 | 529 | 4.327 |
| 4 | 6 | 3 | 249 | 3.281 |
| 5 | 9 | 4 | 530 | 4.270 |
| 6 | 11 | 4 | 462 | 4.246 |
| 7 | 1 | 4 | 505 | 4.220 |
| 8 | 3 | 4 | 483 | 4.218 |
| 9 | 12 | 4 | 456 | 4.161 |
| 10 | 13 | 3 | 205 | 3.159 |
| 11 | 2 | 4 | 452 | 4.139 |
| 12 | 5 | 4 | 449 | 4.096 |
| 13 | 4 | 3 | 184 | 3.033 |
| 14 | 8 | 4 | 346 | 3.778 |
| 15 | 10 | 5 | 592 | 4.734 |
| 16 | 14 | 4 | 344 | 3.712 |
| 17 | 7 | 5 | 546 | 4.708 |
| 18 | 15 | 5 | 577 | 4.619 |
Insights from the 2025 PGA Championship
If you kept your eyes glued to the screen during the final round, you might’ve noticed that the first hole seemed tricky. However, reality hit hard as players faced the absolute challenges presented by holes 16, 17, and 18 later on. The nail-biting action during the run to the finish had fans on the edge of their seats.
The Finishing Stretch is No Joke
As mentioned, Quail Hollow’s final two holes were like a heavyweight boxing match—rough and intense. The 18th hole alone witnessed 46 double bogeys or worse, and those numbers don’t lie. In fact, both the 17th and 18th holes ranked third- and fourth-hardest on the entire PGA Tour this year. So, if players were sweating it out during those closing moments, they had every right to be.
No Preferred Lies, Despite the Mud
Now, let’s talk about the weather. Unfortunately, the week started off with its own drama, thanks to several days of heavy rain. Picture this: muddy terrain and officials stating there would be “no preferred lies.” This was a game-changer! The already challenging course just got a little more treacherous. You could almost hear the collective groan from the players as they navigated through the wet, mushy conditions, all while trying to manage their scores.
A Monster Par-3
Ah, the notorious 17th hole—a par-3 that turned into a nightmare! Measuring around 223 yards, it earned the title of the toughest par-3 during the tournament. Playing nearly four-tenths of a shot over par, it suffered from 30 doubles or worse and saw more than 140 bogeys. If you’re wondering about bright spots, only a mere 33 players scored a birdie. Talk about a tough crowd!
The Only Birdie Run? Holes 14 and 15
If players found any glimmers of hope, it was on holes 14 and 15. Hole 15 is a hefty 577-yard par-5, and it actually played a little easier, with 16 eagles and 191 birdies. The par-4 14th was another chance to shine, and together, these holes provided a crucial window of opportunity for scoring before the monstrous stretch of holes 16, 17, and 18 tried to rip the players’ spirits apart.
Total Field Stats
Now, let’s throw some numbers at you that clearly reveal how all this madness played out:
- Total Score to Par: +1.505
- Eagles: 47
- Birdies: 1,417
- Pars: 4,831
- Bogeys: 1,752
- Double or Worse: 198
These numbers paint a vivid picture of just how challenging the competition was. It’s safe to say that players had their tank topped off with grit and determination to make it through.
Final Thoughts
In a season where Quail Hollow was considered second only to Torrey Pines for difficulty, the 2025 PGA Championship certainly kept our adrenaline levels high. The dramatic culmination was capped off with Scottie Scheffler hoisting the Wanamaker Trophy—a well-earned achievement after sparring against such a challenging layout.
So, whether you’re a player looking for insights on this punishing course or just a fan reliving the drama, the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow gave us an unforgettable rollercoaster experience. From tough birdies to those heart-stopping doubles, it was an event filled with all the highs and lows we love about golf!
The takeaway? Keep your eye on those finishing holes, folks. They’ll surely test your mettle time and again. Happy golfing!
