Truist Championship At Quail Hollow Leaves PGA Picks Shifting After Scottie Scheffler Sits Out

Scottie Scheffler’s absence from the Truist Championship has become one of the biggest talking points of the week, even as Sungjae Im and Tommy Fleetwood move into position for a weekend run at Quail Hollow. The world No. 1 is not playing the $20 million signature event, sharpening attention on how contenders are using the final stop before the 2026 PGA Championship.

Scheffler Absence Changes The Truist Championship Picture

Scheffler did not make a late injury withdrawal from the Truist Championship. The clearer reading is that he chose to skip the event ahead of next week’s major, continuing a scheduling approach that gives him rest before the PGA Championship.

That distinction matters because online searches around “Scottie Scheffler Truist Championship withdrawal” have created some confusion. His absence is significant, but there has been no confirmed medical issue tied to this specific tournament week.

The decision still reshapes the field. Scheffler would have been a natural favorite at Quail Hollow, where he won the PGA Championship in 2025. His combination of ball-striking, course control and major-championship form would have made him a central figure in any betting or fantasy discussion. Without him, the market and public attention have spread across Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Tommy Fleetwood, Sungjae Im, Ludvig Åberg and several other contenders.

Sungjae Im Takes Control At Quail Hollow

Im moved to the top of the leaderboard at the halfway stage after reaching 9 under through two rounds. His Friday 69 followed a delayed opening day affected by storms, and it left him one shot clear of Fleetwood.

The South Korean’s position is notable for more than the score. Im has been working back from a wrist injury and said his game is moving in the right direction as the major season intensifies. He has not won on the PGA Tour since 2021, so a victory in a no-cut signature event would be one of the most important results of his career.

Fleetwood remains close after back-to-back 67s, keeping himself firmly in contention despite not feeling fully sharp. Justin Thomas and Alex Fitzpatrick are also within reach, while Rickie Fowler’s second-round 63 pushed him back into the conversation after a slow start.

Why PGA Championship Prep Is Driving Decisions

The Truist Championship sits directly before the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. That placement creates a strategic decision for elite players: compete in a lucrative signature event against a strong field, or protect energy before a major.

Scheffler’s decision reflects the second approach. Collin Morikawa and Shane Lowry are also among notable names not in the field, making this week an example of how modern top players manage crowded schedules.

For the PGA Tour, the timing is complicated. Signature events are designed to gather star-heavy fields and offer major-level purses. When the week falls immediately before a major, some elite players may still choose rest over competition, even with FedExCup points and prize money available.

Truist Championship Picks Shift Toward Form And Course Fit

With Scheffler absent, Truist Championship picks have become less about identifying a clear dominant favorite and more about weighing course history, approach play and weekend pressure.

McIlroy entered the week with strong public support because of his record at Quail Hollow, where he has repeatedly played some of his best golf. He remains relevant after moving to 5 under by the halfway stage, but he still needs a strong weekend to catch the leaders.

Fleetwood’s case is built on consistency and elite tee-to-green play. Im offers the strongest current position, while Thomas brings major pedigree and enough momentum to make a weekend charge plausible. Fowler is more volatile, but a 63 at Quail Hollow cannot be dismissed, especially on a course where confidence off the tee can quickly change a tournament.

For bettors and fantasy players, the safer weekend angle may be to prioritize players already inside the top 10 rather than chase pre-tournament names from too far back.

PGA Championship Field Keeps Scheffler In Focus

Scheffler remains listed for the PGA Championship, where he is expected to be one of the leading favorites. The field at Aronimink includes a deep mix of major champions, PGA Tour stars and international players, with two spots reserved for winners from this week’s Truist Championship and Myrtle Beach event if needed.

That keeps the stakes high at Quail Hollow. A player already in the PGA field can use the week as a form-building opportunity. A player outside the field could turn a win into a major start.

Scheffler’s rest week will be judged only after Aronimink. If he contends at the PGA Championship, the decision will look like disciplined scheduling. If he starts slowly, the debate over competitive sharpness will return.

Weekend Stakes Extend Beyond One Trophy

The Truist Championship now moves into the weekend with two linked storylines: who wins one of the richest regular-season events on the calendar, and who carries useful momentum into the PGA Championship.

Im has the lead, Fleetwood has the immediate chase position, and several proven names remain close enough to change the board quickly. Scheffler, meanwhile, remains central to the conversation without hitting a shot.

That is the unusual shape of this week: the best player in the world is absent, but his decision is influencing how the tournament is being read. At Quail Hollow, the weekend will decide the champion. At Aronimink, it may help decide whether sitting out was the smarter play.