The 2026 PGA Championship opened on May 14 at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, marking the first time the major has been held there since 1962 [1, 2, 3]. Scottie Scheffler, ranked world number one and defending PGA Champion, began his title defense with an afternoon tee time at 2:05 p.m. ET alongside Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick [1, 4, 5]. Scheffler's strong recent form included three consecutive runner-up finishes before this event, such as nearly overcoming a 12-stroke deficit at the 2026 Masters [1, 6, 3]. Reflecting on his streak, Scheffler said, "My wife was like, 'Hey, Scottie, you're like the first guy in PGA Tour history to have three solo runner-ups in a row.' I'm like, 'Yeah, it's probably because the guy that was playing that good figured out a way to win one of those'" [6].
Rory McIlroy, world number two and recent Masters champion, started early at 8:40 a.m. ET from the 10th hole, playing alongside Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm [1, 2, 4]. Spieth is chasing a career Grand Slam this week, potentially becoming the seventh man to achieve it and the first since McIlroy in 2025 [2, 5]. Spieth said, "If I can win one more tournament in my life, it would obviously be this one for that reason. But the easiest way to do that is to not try to... Just go out and get ready for the first hole, get a good game plan in and attack it the way it needs to be attacked" [2].
One group ahead of McIlroy’s trio was Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka—playing his second major since leaving LIV Golf last December—and Tyrrell Hatton [1, 4]. A total of 11 LIV Golf players competed in the 156-player field [1, 4]. Phil Mickelson withdrew and was replaced by Max Homa [1, 4].
After the first round, 48 players stood within three shots of the co-leaders, including Scheffler, Martin Kaymer, Aldrich Potgieter, Stephan Jaeger, Min Woo Lee, Ryo Hisatsune, and Alex Smalley [7, 8]. Kaymer, a 2010 PGA Champion and LIV Golf player, struggled during the second round despite a strong start [7]. Scheffler began the second round on May 15 with a bogey on the first hole of the day, after his opening shot rolled off the fairway [7, 8]. Bryson DeChambeau, twice PGA runner-up, started with a 76 and faces a challenge to make the weekend [7, 5].
Cameron Young, with two PGA Tour wins this season, plays in a threesome alongside Keegan Bradley and Justin Thomas [1, 5, 3]. Scheffler has five major championships to his name; a win here would tie him with Phil Mickelson and others for most majors won under age 30 [6, 3]. McIlroy aims to hold all four major titles simultaneously, something not done since Tiger Woods in 2001 [2, 6].
The tournament continues through the weekend, with the second round underway on May 15 and players battling for positioning to reach the final rounds [7].
