5 things to know about Thursday

The second major of the year, e 2026 PGA Championshipit is off and running. There are 156 players in the field, including 20 club professionals, all hoping to lift the Wanamaker trophy on Sunday night.

The first round ends with a number of intriguing storylines to follow. Here are five things you need to know about Thursday Aronimink.

The defending champion

Scottie Scheffler won last year’s PGA Championship at Quail Hollow by a remarkable five shots and is the prohibitive betting favorite this year — a mantle he’s taken for every tournament he’s played in for the better part of the past three years. And while No. The World No. 1 is already having a stellar season, with one win and five more top 10s – including three straight runner-up finishes – in nine events, there are others who could match that momentum this week. Who, exactly? Read on…

Rory, Cameron and others

Who are those players who could challenge Scottie this week? The list looks wider than usual! Masters champion and new career Grand Slam winner Rory McIlroy is one; Players and Cadillac Championship winner Cameron Young is another; and three-time winner Matt Fitzpatrick (Valspar Championship, RBC Heritage, Zurich Classic) completes a formidable trio of opponents. (Fitzpatrick also finished runner-up to Young in the Players).

Needless to say, this week looks set to be a pretty epic clash of the titans.

What about LIV players?

Considering the uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf and it’s future, the spotlight is shining especially on its two biggest stars: Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, who are among a group of 11 contestants total LIV on the field this week in Aronimink. DeChambeau has finished second in the last two PGAs and was T4 in 2023; Rahm’s best PGA finish was T8 last year and in 2021.

Michael Block

Michael Blockclub pro who became an everyman star when he finished T15 at the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill is back on the field this week, marking the eighth time he has qualified for the PGA Championship. The 2023 performance marked the only time he has ever made the cut.

PREDICTION

Morning flurries could be met with intermittent showers on Thursday. According to AccuWeather, conditions are expected to be cloudy with a high of 65°F and a low of 47°F, with winds up to 13 mph.

Sounds like weather to us! Click here for everything you need to know to watch the first round of the 2026 PGA Championship.

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