Wells Fargo Championship preview picks & analysis

RORY McILROY returns to Quail Hollow, scene of his first PGA Tour victory, and can't wait to get started. It is a measure of the man that he is disappointed after finishing just four shots off the pace at the Players Championship; it is also a measure of the standard his game has reached that he came so close despite not performing at his best.

"I am hitting the ball really well," McIlroy said. "My biggest problem at Sawgrass was that although I kept giving myself chances, I just couldn't take them. I missed far too many putts. But I love Quail Hollow. It holds a special place in my heart and is a course that suits my eye so I head there expecting to do well."

When McIlroy won here in 2010 he shot a 62 in third round. It was a remarkable score on a course that measures 7,562 yards. It hosted the Kemper Open for 10 years and Tom Fazio was brought in to redesign the greens and extend the course. It returned to the Tour in 2003 and is a favourite venue of many of the world's best players. In 2017 it will host the US PGA championship.

Rory will be hoping to improve on poor putting form at The Wells Fargo Championship

The final three holes are known as the Green Mile and are regarded as the toughest finishing stretch on Tour - it is here that the tournament will be won and lost.

Henrik Stenson makes his first appearance at the tournament and has a game that should be perfectly suited to Quail Hollow. Kevin Kisner, who came so close to winning the Players Championship, has now finished runner-up twice this season. He has a great allround game and a superb temperament and will draw on the positives from his near-misses. It would be a surprise if he doesn't have another big week.

Ben Martin is also there. He will be kicking himself after his finish at Sawgrass. Taking a three wood at the final hole, he carved the ball into the trees on the right, had to chip out and dropped a shot to miss out on the playoff by a shot. Like Kisner, Martin plays the game quickly and keeps his emotions in check. But he will know that he missed a golden opportunity.

Russell Knox, of Scotland, has taken to the PGA Tour like a natural and keeps picking up big cheques. But Knox is becoming restless and wants the win that would signal his breakthrough. He is a player who may well win a lot of events after he has that first one under his belt.

At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, I also urge you to once again invest a few bob in Justin Thomas. He keeps coming close and is a racing certainty to land a title before very much longer.

Wells Fargo Championship Betting Picks

To Win: Rory McIlroy 5/1. Loves the course

Each way: Justin Thomas 30/1. Come on Justin, you are starting to make me look silly

Each way: Kevin Kisner 30/1. Should cruise around Quail Hollow

Wells Fargo Fantasy picks:

Rory McIlroy 5/1. Who is going to finish second?

Justin Thomas 30/1. Time to turn consistency into wins

Kevin Kisner 30/1. Anotherlooking for debut victory

Russell Knox 80/1. I could watch Knox all day long

Ben Martin 48/1. Keen to put Players' disappointment behind him

JB Holmes 28/1. Won last year and enjoys the course

Gary Woodland 60/1. Could tear this course apart

Patrick Reed 33/1. Keep you eye on him

Sean O'Hair. Coming back to his very best

Jim Furyk 20/1. On a roll, and was second 12 months ago