The Wells Fargo Championship sees the eighth elevated event of the 2022/23 PGA Tour season, with the world's top players heading to Quail Hollow to play for a $20 million tournament purse.
With the likes of Rory McIlroy returning following a disappointing Masters performance, the tournament will be without a trio of big names, with World No.1, Jon Rahm, and World No.2, Scottie Scheffler, opting to skip the tournament as the season starts to really ramp up.
Field for next week's Wells Fargo Championship: pic.twitter.com/C4gqXLWoIOApril 28, 2023
You may be wondering why the two Major winners aren't featuring in the event. Well, players on the PGA Tour are allowed to skip one elevated tournament a season, with the pair deciding that the halfway point of 2023 is the perfect time do so.
If players miss more than one elevated event then they will suffer a 25% deduction in their PIP earnings (Player Impact Program), which is a way of rewarding players who, according to the PGA Tour: "Generate the most positive interest in the PGA Tour.”
Back in mid-April, McIlroy opted to skip the RBC Heritage, just four months after he skipped the Sentry Tournament of Champions. Because he didn't play in these two elevated events, it meant that he would reportedly lose 25% of his PIP money, which equates to around $3 million.
Hideki Matsuyama will another big name missing the Wells Fargo Championship
Along with Rahm and Scheffler, Hideki Matsuyama will also not be present at the Wells Fargo Championship, with the Japanese star releasing a statement to the PGA Tour which read: “Following the Masters, I returned to Japan to receive treatment for my neck pain and, unfortunately, it has not improved to the point of being able to compete. I want to thank Wells Fargo and the Charlotte fans for their support and look forward to returning in the future.”
Matsuyama's neck injury has certainly been an ongoing battle. Back in March, the 31-year-old was forced to withdraw from the WGC-Match Play, which was the second time in five months that he wasn't able to compete on the Tour, having been unable to play at the Houston Open in November 2022.
-
Valspar Championship Picks, Predictions And OddsThe final event of the Florida Swing comes from the Valspar Championship, where nearly half of the world's top 50 are set to tee it up on the Copperhead Course
-
Porsche Singapore Classic 2025 Picks, Predictions And OddsThe DP World Tour returns in Asia this week at the Porsche Singapore Classic, and we've picked our favorites to contend as well as an outside shout for the title
-
Rory McIlroy Reunited With Old Clubs After Near $1000 Uber RideThe four-time Major winner switched back to his old clubs at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, with the Uber trip to get them costing a near $1000
-
College Golfer Apologizes After Being Removed From TPC Sawgrass For Heckling Rory McIlroyUniversity of Texas golfer, Luke Potter made a comment to McIlroy during Tuesday's practice round which caused the World No.2 to take his phone
-
'Something Went Terribly Wrong If I Have To Compete At 50' - Rory McIlroy Categorically Rules Out Playing Senior Tour GolfAsked about his long-term plans, the Northern Irishman insisted he would not be visiting the Champions Tour once he's retired from pro golf
-
How Much The Winning Caddie Makes At The Arnold Palmer InvitationalThe bumper prize funds at Signature Events like the Arnold Palmer Invitational also mean bumper bonus checks for the winner's caddie
-
'One Of The Great Things About Golf Is I Can Go Out With A Guy Who Is Going To Shoot 90 And I Can Give Him Enough Strokes To Where We'll Have A Good Competition' - Scottie Scheffler On Losing To 10-Handicap FriendScottie Scheffler insists "one of the great things about golf" is the handicap system, even if it did cost him money and an embarrassing loss to a 10 handicapper
-
Jon Rahm's Legion XIII Signs Landmark LIV Equipment Deal With CallawayCallaway is the first manufacturer to sign up with a LIV Golf team after partnering with Jon Rahm and his Legion XIII side
-
Rory McIlroy Reveals Multiple Equipment Changes At Arnold Palmer InvitationalThe Northern Irishman has made a number of tweaks to his gear setup ahead of this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational
-
'I Don't Think The PGA Tour Needs A Deal. I Think The Momentum Is Pretty Strong' - Rory McIlroy On PGA Tour-PIF Deal And Why He's Adding An Extra Tournament To His ScheduleThe four-time Major winner had plenty to say on a range of subjects affecting the men's elite game - here are six of the key talking points
