PGA Championship 2026: What to know as golf’s best take on Aronimink
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- The PGA Championship returns to Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia for the first time since 1962, featuring a challenging course with over 170 bunkers and significant fairway and green complexity.
- Recent PGA Championships have largely favored top-ranked players, with seven of the last nine winners ranked in the top 15 of the Official World Golf Ranking, reflecting a trend toward dominant ball striking.
- Rory McIlroy, fresh off a Masters win, leads the tour in strokes gained tee to green but struggles with putting, while world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler shows strong overall form despite a dip in iron play.
- Emerging contenders include Cameron Young, who has improved significantly in putting and approach metrics, and Matt Fitzpatrick, who has benefited from a swing change leading to better approach shots and proximity to the hole.
- Other notable players to watch are Jon Rahm, dominating LIV Golf statistics; Brooks Koepka, showing signs of resurgence; and Jordan Spieth, seeking to regain major contention form after a period of inconsistency.