Justin Thomas isn't fooling himself: Quail Hollow might be the same layout as it was last August, but not the same conditions, not the same turf.
That makes a difference to the guy who won the PGA Championship on this course, but with Bermuda grass suited to the heat of a Carolinas summer, rather than the rye overseed for tournament play in May.
"I wish it was exactly like it was for the PGA," Thomas said Wednesday, following the pro-am before Thursday's first round of the Wells Fargo Championship. "I like the Bermuda grass, just from a comfort level. Or the Bermuda greens, I definitely like more."
Thomas and fellow tour golfers say this is more than a superficial difference. Rory McIlroy, who has twice won at Quail Hollow, prefers the course as it plays in the spring to how it played in August, with the Bermuda.
"Any time you can get over seeded, I like that. This golf course feels two or three shots easier than it was for the PGA," McIlroy said, noting also some moved tee boxes from the August layout. "The rough is way more predictable."
Still, coming back to Quail Hollow has to be a confidence boost for Thomas. He made a save on the 17th hole in August that he considers one of _ if not the _ best shots of his career. That save of his first round was essential to him winning the PGA.
"If I don't get that up-and-down, everything would have been different. ...
Johnson decided to share something with his parents Thursday, before moving on from the PGA.
"I took a picture of that hole today and sent it to my parents because it's the best shot I ever hit in my life," Thomas said. "It's some pretty special memories on an extremely difficult hole."
