The PGA Championship is winning the battle against the best golfers in the world

Key Points:

• The 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club features notably challenging pin placements on the greens, with pins positioned in difficult, unconventional locations that have surprised even longtime local caddies and players.
• The course, measuring under 7,400 yards, counters modern long-hitting players and advanced equipment by utilizing large, fast, and contoured greens to maintain a high level of difficulty.
• Strong winds have compounded the challenge, resulting in one of the toughest PGA Championships in recent history, with only one round under 4 under par after 36 holes and a tightly packed leaderboard.
• PGA of America’s chief championships officer Kerry Haigh chose aggressive pin placements to increase difficulty, sparking debate about how to balance course setup between challenge and playability.
• The tournament has produced a suspenseful competition with 15 players within two shots of the lead, highlighting the ongoing struggle in golf to preserve classic course challenges amid evolving player capabilities.