Player reactions part 1: McIlroy, Walker, Lingmerth

While the maintenance team was taking a well-deserved rest after the Monday morning maintenance, Golfdom took to the course to learn about what the PGA Tour professionals think of the new PGA Championship host, Quail Hollow.

David Lingmerth

David Lingmerth putts on No. 18.

“(Compared to past Wells Fargo Championships) I didn’t notice a difference in the turf in the fairways, but the greens were probably the best we’ve putted on all year. Just beautiful greens and super fast. I played with Robert Streb today and we were talking about it, there’s going to be some pin locations that are going to be kind of dicey. Putting it off the green will definitely happen this week, for sure.”

“The front 9 is definitely a little different. In the past, to me at least, this is a course where if you turn it right to left it may be a bit of an advantage. Personally I like to cut it a little bit more so I don’t feel like the course setup in the past had really been to my advantage. Now they changed a few holes and it’s more left to right. So, me, I like it.”

Jimmy Walker

“I think they need to keep the greens somewhat soft. They are firm right now, even with the rain. It would play really tough if they firmed up more and you could lose control of the ball. They were really playable today with the moisture.”

“The rough is tough to chip out of around the greens. This is a lot different than what we’re used to out here.”

When Golfdom asked Walker would he believe that it rained close to 1 inch in less than 12 hours, he responded, “No, the course drained pretty good.”

Rory McIlroy

Rory signs autographs after his practice round.

“The changes on the front 9 are good. They definitely made the first five holes tougher. The first used to be a birdie hole, and obviously the second and third hole are pretty much the same and then the fourth and fifth are different. It used to be if you didn’t get through the first five holes under par you’d be a little disappointed. Now if you’re even par you’re in good shape, but then the course opens up. You’ve got chances on 7, 8 and 10. Eleven through 13 are pretty hard, but the course still gives you chances. The start has been made tougher.”

“The greens are really firm. The green complexes on some of the holes are a little bit different, but the contours are pretty much the same. It’s familiar, but there are some things you have to learn.”

“The fairways were really soggy today, but the greens were great, firm but receptive at the same time. So, hopefully we don’t get too much more rain. The course is playing nice and it played as long as it could today, which is OK for me but could be a struggle for other guys.”

Photos: Golfdom