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What skill would the world's best golfers want to trade with their rivals?

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s a safe bet that everyone reading this would trade every single part of their golf game to know what it’s like to play golf like the world’s best players.

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But what about the world’s best? Which part of their game would they trade with one of their peers if they had the chance?

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That question was asked to numerous players competing in this week’s PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. Here’s what they had to say:

JORDAN SPIETH

“I’d probably replace approach with Scottie (Scheffler). I think that probably would lend to the lowest score differential for probably most anybody, but I don’t actually know how they’re weighted overall for scoring average. I don’t know that specifically. But that would be my short, easy answer there. If you’re going to lead in approach at historic levels, you’re going to have a chance most every week.

BRYSON DeCHAMBEAU

“I would probably take whoever the best wedger is right now from like 110 yards to like 60, 50 yards. I feel like I’m pretty good from 40 yards in, but that area is where I’d trade it with somebody that’s really good in that area. I haven’t really researched that. … I’d probably trade that part just because I hit it so far and it’s a tough area for me to gauge and control and something I continuously work on.”

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XANDER SCHAUFFELE

“That’s a weird question, considering we’re getting ready for a major where we’re just trying to be the best at all those things. If I’m nitpicking myself, I would probably give up my short game for someone else’s. There’s a big group of guys who are what I would call elite chippers. I don’t know, there’s probably five or six guys I can think of that do that really well. That would probably take a little bit of stress off my putter at times. In all honesty, I probably wouldn’t — I like the challenge of trying to get better at that too. So I’m OK with what I got.

JUSTIN THOMAS

“I’d go with either Rory (McIlroy) or Scottie and their driver.”

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JON RAHM

“Oh, my God. Based on the success he’s had here, you almost have to go with some part of Rory’s game. He’s done incredible here and it’s because he’s good at everything obviously. I think the obvious answer for a lot of people probably would say his driving on this golf course, but I think, as a pretty good driver myself, I’m going to choose how well he’s been able to putt on those greens.

“I would also say if I had to go with somebody who was maybe statistically a better putter, it’s hard to go with somebody other than Xander, especially in recent years. I mean, I can rifle off about 10 different players, Scottie’s iron game or quite a few other guys about their wedge game. If I have to go pick one, just because he’s done so well here, I’m going to say how well Rory has done here, maybe on the greens and around the greens.”

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