Truist Championship 2026 preview, picks & analysis
By: Derek Clements | Edited: Mon 04 May 2026
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The Truist Championship returns to its traditional Quail Hollow venue this week. It was moved 12 months ago because the course was hosting the following week’s US PGA Championship.
Shane Lowry missed out on victory in 2025 but it was another good day for Europe as Austria’s Sepp Straka claimed the title, his second win of the season.
The two players went into the final round in the joint lead on 14 under and it was Straka who emerged with victory after a final round 68 put him on 16 under. Former Open champion Lowry went round in level-par 70, two late bogeys leaving him tied for second with Justin Thomas at the delightfully-named Philadelphia Cricket Club's Wissahickon Course.
If you were to ask Rory McIlroy to play any venue then you can be pretty sure that Quail Hollow would figure near the top of that list.
(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)
For the Northern Irishman, this is where it all began, the venue for his maiden PGA Tour title at the Quail Hollow Championship in 2010.
Having barely made the cut following opening rounds of 72 and 73, he shot a third round of 66 but still looked like he had no chance. However, in the final round he shot a stunning course record 62 to beat Phil Mickelson by four strokes and record his first PGA Tour win. It came two days before his 21st birthday, making him the first player since Tiger Woods to win a PGA Tour event prior to that age. The victory also earned him a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour - not that he needed it.
Five years later he was at it again. By now, it was called the Wells Fargo Championship and this time he won by a whopping seven shots. He opened with rounds of 70 and 67 and was handily placed. But then he tore the course to shreds in round three, during which he recorded a scarcely-credible 61. He closed out his victory stroll with a 69. His 267 total was a tournament record.
He had to wait six years for victory number three and it came with rounds of 72, 66, 68 and 68, good enough to see off the challenge of Abraham Ancer by a shot.
He was at it again in 2024. He was utterly dominant, rounds of 67, 68, 67 and 65 leaving Xander Schauffele shaking his head in disbelief.
A stunning final back nine saw McIlroy reel in overnight leader Schauffele. He trailed by two shots after seven holes, but four birdies and two eagles in the next eight saw him surge six shots clear.
The Northern Irishman eventually carded a six-under 65 to beat American Schauffele by five shots at Quail Hollow. However, Schauffele would gain a serious consolation prize the following week when he won the US PGA Championship at Valhalla.
But he hasn’t always had it his own way at Quail Hollow. The course hosted the 2017 US PGA and McIlroy was widely fancied to win. But the course set-up was very different, with thick and punishing rough and lightning-fast greens. Justin Thomas won the tournament with a total of 276, just eight under par.
McIlroy finished the week in a tie for 22nd place after rounds of 72, 72, 73 and 68.
Tournament Winners:
It was won in 2015 and 2021 by Rory McIlroy, in 2016 by James Hahn, in 2017 by Brian Harman, in 2018 by Jason Day, in 2019 and 2022 by Max Homa, in 2023 by Wyndham Clark, in 2024 by McIlroy once more and last year by Sepp Straka. There was no tournament in 2020 because of the pandemic.
The Course:
Quail Hollow is a par 70 measuring 7,160 yards. It is tree-lined, features plenty of bunkers and a couple of water hazards, most notably at the reachable par-four 14th and 221-yard par three 17th.
Form Guide:
Rory McIlroy has won this tournament four times and simply loves this course. He is certain to be there or thereabouts.
Prize Money:
Total prize money is $20m with the winner collecting $3.6m and 700 FedEx Cup points.
How to Watch:
Thursday, May 7, Friday, May 8, Sky Sports Golf, 5.30pm; Saturday, May 9, Sunday, May 10, Sky Sports Golf, 5pm.
To Win:
Rory McIlroy. The man to beat
Each Way:
Tommy Fleetwood. Searching for another big PGA Tour victory
Each Way:
Xander Schauffele. Nearly back to his best
Five to Follow:
Rory McIlroy. Has owned this tournament
Tommy Fleetwood. Course should be made for his game
Xander Schauffele. Ready to win again
Sepp Straka. Hugely underrated
Ludvig Aberg. Fantastic ball striker
About the author
Derek Clements is a seasoned sports journalist and regular Golfshake contributor, specialising in tour coverage, opinion pieces, and feature writing. With a long career in national newspapers and golf media, he has reported on the game across Europe, the United States and Australia. A passionate golfer, he has played and reviewed numerous renowned courses, with personal favourites including Pebble Beach, Kingsbarns, Aldeburgh, Old Thorns and the K Club. His love of the game informs his thoughtful commentary on both professional golf and the wider golfing community.
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