It was a day of golf drama at the Aronimink Golf Club, where the world's best golfers faced a challenging course and personal struggles alike. The 2026 PGA Championship, held in Philadelphia, saw a mix of surprises and familiar faces, with some players rising to the occasion and others facing a day to forget.
The course, designed by Donald Ross, lived up to its reputation as a tough and unforgiving test of golf. Only 15 of the 155 players managed to break par, with none shooting better than a 3-under 67. The greens were described as 'crazy firm', and the fairways sloped in a way that made them appear narrow, despite some being wide. The rough, while not as long as at other majors, was thick and treacherous, catching players off guard.
Among the standout performers was Cameron Smith, who arrived at Aronimink after a difficult conversation with his coach, Grant Field. Smith, who had missed six straight cuts in majors, found his form and birdied the 13th and 16th holes to move to 3-under. His performance was a reminder of his talent and a potential catalyst for a return to form.
However, it was a different story for Bryson DeChambeau, who endured a day to forget. DeChambeau, whose future in golf was already uncertain, shot his worst-ever score relative to par in a PGA event. He struggled with the sloping greens, missing putts for par and birdie, and finished with a 6-over 76, tying for 135th place. The dual-US Open champion's performance was described as 'despiriting' and 'totally out of sorts', with his agent advising him to avoid media interactions.
Rory McIlroy also faced challenges, with wayward tee shots and a four-over par 74 start. McIlroy, who had been in top form leading up to the tournament, struggled with the wind and the tricky greens, finishing with five bogeys in his last six holes. His performance was described as 'frustrating' and 'disheveled', with some questioning his reduced schedule leading into the major.
The tournament also saw the emergence of some Australian golfers, with Min Woo Lee and Jason Day both under par. Lee, who started the season strongly, had a shocker at Augusta but rebounded with five birdies on Thursday. Day, the 2015 PGA Championship winner, also had a solid performance, with a couple of birdies on the front nine.
The course itself was a star of the show, with its challenging layout and tricky greens. The compressed leaderboard, with only two former champions leading after the opening day, added to the excitement. The wind, the sloping greens, and the thick rough all contributed to a day of golf drama, with some players rising to the occasion and others facing a day to forget.
In the end, the 2026 PGA Championship was a testament to the skill and determination of the golfers, with some players finding their form and others facing personal struggles. The course, with its unique challenges, played a significant role in shaping the outcome, leaving a lasting impression on all who participated.
