The opening round of the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow Club has officially been delayed due to severe weather expected across the Charlotte area on Thursday morning.
Tournament officials announced on Wednesday that first-round tee times will now begin at noon, rather than the originally scheduled early-morning start.
Gates for spectators are expected to open at 11:30 a.m. as heavy rain, thunderstorms and possible lightning move through the region.
Delayed Schedule to Maintain Tournament Pace
The PGA Tour also confirmed that the second round on Friday will begin on a similar delayed schedule, with players competing in threesomes off both the first and 10th tees in an effort to keep the tournament on pace despite weather interruptions.
Fans attending Thursday’s round have been encouraged to arrive later than originally planned, monitor weather alerts and follow tournament officials for updates regarding parking, gate access, and possible additional delays. Officials also reminded spectators that play will immediately stop if lightning enters the area around the course.
Weather disruptions are nothing new at Quail Hollow.
Quail Hollow’s History of Weather Issues
Over the years, the tournament formerly known as the Wells Fargo Championship has frequently dealt with rain delays, lightning suspensions and storm-related schedule changes during Charlotte’s unpredictable spring weather season.
The course’s location in the Carolinas has often produced difficult tournament conditions, particularly during May when thunderstorms are common. Players and fans have endured multiple suspensions throughout the event’s history, especially during afternoon rounds when storms tend to intensify.
Quail Hollow also experienced weather challenges during the 2017 PGA Championship and again during the 2025 PGA Championship hosted at the famed Charlotte club. Rain-softened fairways and threatening storms became recurring storylines during both major championships, forcing tournament officials to closely monitor lightning and adjust operations throughout the week.
McIlroy Returns to Familiar Ground
The weather concerns come as one of the PGA Tour’s marquee events returns to Charlotte, featuring a loaded field that includes four-time Quail Hollow winner Rory McIlroy, along with stars such as Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth.
McIroy said this is an event he enjoys coming to every year.
“I’ve gotten to know so many people here really well. The Harris’. All the staff in the club,” he said. “I really think the community of Charlotte will come out to support this event really well. What is this? 16 years I’ve been coming here. It’s been a fun place, I’ve had success, and it’s somewhere I always love coming back to.”
The venue itself has become one of the PGA Tour’s signature stops since first hosting the event in 2003.