Wells Fargo Championship 2024 Predictions: Back Rory for Four-Timer

• This is another no-cut Signature Event, with a field of just 69  

• It’s the final tournament before next week’s PGA Championship

• Scottie Scheffler sits this one out for family reasons

Wells Fargo Championship Odds

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Wells Fargo Championship Picks and Predictions

• Rory McIlroy for the win at +750 with BetMGM

• Sahith Theegala to beat Viktor Hovland over 72 holes at -110 with bet365

• Will Zalatoris for Top 10 at +320 with bet365

Wells Fargo Championship Intro

It’s always a debate among players whether to play the week before a major but this time they don’t particularly have a choice.

This week’s Wells Fargo Championship in North Carolina is a big-money Signature Event so all the top names are signed up in an elite field of just 69.

And yet there are two glaring omissions from the line-up but not because they want to focus on next week’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler is putting family first due to the arrival of a new baby while World No.6 Ludvig Aberg has withdrawn due to a knee injury.

Scheffler’s absence may come as a particular relief to his rivals given the Texan’s dominance of golf over the last few months.

Quail Hollow staged the 2017 PGA won by Justin Thomas and is famous for its tough closing stretch (Nos 16-18) called the “Green Mile”. 

Derek Ernst (2013) and James Hahn (2016) have shown there can be shock winners of the event but generally, this has been a tournament won by the best in the game.

Also, note the winner at the end of this week as two recent Wells Fargo champions - Brian Harman and Wyndham Clark - used it as a springboard to go and land a major.  

Last 5 Winners of the Wells Fargo Championship

*There was no tournament in 2020 due to the pandemic

Course Notes

• Quail Hollow is a par 71 and measures 7,558 yards from the tips

• The course was designed by George Cobb and updated by Tom Fazio 

• The greens have been switched to overseeded TifEagle Bermuda 

• Wyndham Clark’s total of 265 in 2023 is the 72-hole record

• Rory McIlroy has the 18-hole record - a 61 on day three in 2015

• Rain in the build-up and during the tournament could soften the course  

Favorites to win the Wells Fargo Championship

Rory McIlroy (+750) at BetMGM

This was the scene of Rory’s first PGA Tour win (he now has 25) when he famously came from the cut line to shoot 66-62 on the weekend and win by four. To that 2010 triumph, he’s added further Quail Hollow wins in 2015 (by seven) and 2021. Disappointed by his modest 22nd at The Masters, he arrives with a spring in his step after winning the Zurich Classic pairs event with fellow Irishman Shane Lowry. 

Bet on Rory Mcllroy (+750) at BetMGM     

Xander Schauffele (+900) at BetMGM

In 11 starts this season, Schauffele has finished outside the top 25 just once. That run includes seven top 10s although the elusive ‘W’ won’t quite come his way. A runner-up at THE PLAYERS in March, the Californian was also second here at Quail Hollow in 2023. That added to a 14th on his previous visit.

Bet on Xander Schauffele (+900) at BetMGM     

Wyndham Clark (+1400) at BetMGM

It highlights Clark’s progress over the last year or so that he’s now the third favorite in a world-class field like this. Of course, another reason for such low odds is that he’s the defending champion after shooting 67-67-63-68 to win by four last year. This season he’s been a winner at Pebble Beach, second at Bay Hill and Sawgrass, and third at the RBC Heritage on his latest start.   

Bet on Wyndham Clark (+140) at BetMGM     

Back McIlroy for the Win

This is a special place for Rory McIlroy and in addition to his three wins at Quail Hollow he owns a second, a fourth and three other top 10s.

And if his odds look a little short, ask yourself a key question…

Would you rather back McIlroy at +750 on a course where he’s triumphed three times and doesn’t have to go up against Scottie Scheffler? Or would you prefer to take him at +1200 against Scheffler and Aberg in next week’s PGA Championship?

Given that Rory is repeatedly reminded that he hasn’t won a major since 2014, I'm taking the former.

The outcome with McIlroy is so often decided between his ears.

Here, he feels a million dollars and walks tall. In majors, he seems to have the weight of the world on his shoulders as he tries to end a drought that has lasted a decade.

A relaxed Rory is a dangerous animal as we saw when he teamed up with Lowry to win the Zurich Classic two weeks ago.

Clearly, there’s some great golf in him when he plays with freedom so let’s back Rory for the win here at +750 with BetMGM.    

Theegala to Beat Hovland

For this week’s match bet, I’m taking Sahith Theegala to beat Viktor Hovland in a 72-hole pick ‘em at -110 with bet365.

Theegala has completely outplayed the Norwegian in 2024, racking up five top 10s including second places at The Sentry and the RBC Heritage.

Hovland looked set for a huge season after winning the 2023 FedExCup but it just hasn’t worked out that way.

He’s changed coaches, been the subject of LIV defection rumors, and crashed out of The Masters on his last start after a miserable second-round 81.

With nothing better this season than 19th at February’s Genesis Invitational, this is a difficult stretch for the 26-year-old.

Hovland does have some form here with a third in 2021 (also 43rd in 2023) but that was then and this is now.  

Theegala’s driving is vastly improved and that should help him win this 72-holer.    

Zalatoris to Land Top 10

This is a course where those who thrive in majors do well so that has to bring Will Zalatoris into the crosshairs.

His ninth place at Augusta last month was a seventh top 10 from just 11 major starts, an outstanding record.

Zalatoris, who played his collegiate golf at nearby Wake Forest, can make the top 10 again here at +320 with bet365.

How to Watch the Wells Fargo Championship

• Tournament: Wells Fargo Championship

• Location: Quail Hollow, Charlotte, NC

• Date: Thursday, May 9 - Sunday, May 12

• How to Watch: Thursday - Friday 2 p.m.-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel), Saturday - Sunday 1 p.m-3 p.m (Golf Channel), 3 p.m.-6 p.m. (CBS). And all four days on Sky Sports.