The first round of 2026 PGA Championship is officially in the books, and the second grand opening day of the year it was filled with a number of surprisesfrom seven-man play at the top of the leaderboard to Thursday’s lackluster performances from some of the pre-tournament favorites.
Let’s break it all down. Here are five things you need to know about Friday at Aronimink.
Scottie’s continued dominance
Defending PGA champion Scottie Scheffler won last year’s edition at Quail Hollow by a remarkable five shots and entered the week as the prohibitive betting favorite. So far, he’s on an excellent defense of the title, tied for the lead at three under par after a solid round that included five birdies and two bogeys.
What happened to Rory?
;)
Hurry up! Scottie Scheffler’s PGA Championship Nike golf shoes are on sale
Jessica Marksbury
After a Masters win and a career Grand Slam, hopes were high for Rory McIlroy this week – especially on a course where he could enjoy a strong advantage with his game off the tee. But a string of five bogeys in the middle of the live round derailed him, and he eventually signed for a round of four-over 74 – currently T105 and deep in absentee territory if he can’t right the ship on Friday. When asked how he would describe his opening round, McIlroy had one word: “S—.”
LIV ups and downs
On the LIV front, a surprising competitor surged to a share of the first-round lead: 2010 PGA Champion Martin Kaymer (!). The 41-year-old left the PGA Tour for LIV in the first wave of players in 2022 and, with a current world ranking of 1,160, has only played in a handful of championships since then, with a high finish of T64 at the 2024 US Open. But he has a PGA lifetime exemption thanks to his victory, and so far, he seems to be maximizing his value this year.
On the other side of the spectrum: Bryson DeChambeau. A pre-tournament favorite, DeChambeau shot a six-over 76 on Thursday, and will have to fight hard on Friday to just make the cut.
;)
Inside Garrick Higgo’s strange (and expensive) start to the PGA Championship
Michael Bamberger
Watch Club pro cut
It is extremely rare for a professional club competitor to make the cut at the PGA Championship and even rarer when one claims. Michael Block did both in 2023 when he finished T15 at Oak Hill. Block is back in the field this week for the eighth time he’s qualified for the PGA Championship, and after an even-par opening round, Block is T34 and in prime position to make the cut on Friday — and possibly the lead.
Big time move
Not only are there seven players tied for the lead after Round 1, but there are a total of 66 players who are within four shots of the lead. That means only one thing: Friday’s round will be important when it comes to setting up a weekend of potential drama. Don’t miss the action! Click here for everything you need to know to watch the second round of the 2026 PGA Championship.
