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The PGA of America made a bold statement Wednesday evening that will delight golf purists: despite days of drenching rain at Quail Hollow, Thursday’s opening round of the 107th PGA Championship will proceed without preferred lies.
“We do not plan to play preferred lies,” read a message from PGA of America officials. “The playing surfaces are outstanding and are drying by the hour. We are mowing the fairways this evening.
“We are looking forward to an exciting opening round to the 107th PGA Championship.”
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This decision stands in stark contrast to the PGA Tour’s regular season protocol, where “lift, clean and place” rules are routinely implemented after heavy rainfall. Under these conditions, players can pick up their ball in the fairway to remove mud and find a cleaner lie—a practice that significantly eases the challenge for competitors.
The Charlotte area has been hammered by storms this week, with Monday completely washed out and Tuesday afternoon largely unplayable. Despite Quail Hollow’s advanced SubAir drainage systems, the course remains sodden in many areas.
Golf traditionalists have long criticised the frequency of preferred lies in regular tour events, viewing it as diminishing the true test of the game. Majors typically hold firm against this practice, maintaining that championship golf should be played as it lies—regardless of conditions.
The PGA Championship, however, has broken rank. In 2016, officials allowed lift, clean and place during the final round at Baltusrol after significant rainfall—a decision that drew criticism and further complicated the tournament’s struggle with the oddities that have taken place through the years.
Thursday’s announcement represents a return to major championship principles for the PGA of America. For Quail Hollow, already under scrutiny about course conditions this week, the decision eliminates one potential controversy while embracing the unpredictable elements that define major championship golf.
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Main Image: Tracy Wilcox
