Read the GOLF Tour Confidential for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport. This week, with the PGA Championship at Aronimink, we’ll touch on a key topic each night.
One day into the 2026 PGA Championship, seven players – including Scottie Scheffler – are tied for the lead, although there were a handful of surprises Thursday at Aronimink. Which one caught your eye?
Zephyr Melton, Associate Game Development Editor (@zephyrmelton): Garrick Higgo is overdue for his little time – in a major! – it was… SOMETHING. More surprising was his lack of accountability when facing the media, saying: “I was definitely there on time, but late.” And yet also more the surprising thing is that he would be tied for the lead with no mistakes. What a way to start a degree.
Jessica Marksbury, Senior Editor (@jess_marksbury): What about Martin Kaymer’s performance at the top of the table today? It’s been so long since he’s been a factor that I had to remind myself of his career credits, which are impressive: a PGA, US Open and a Players Championship – albeit a decade ago. He’s ranked No. 1,160 and plays this week with a lifetime PGA Championship exemption thanks to that win in 2010. His performance — so far! – it’s really a surprise.
Josh Sens, Senior Writer (@joshsens): I wouldn’t have believed Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy were a combined 10-over on Day 1, especially after Rory’s comments about the course not requiring much strategy off the tee. I would expect Aronimink to favor some guys who have done pretty well bombing and passing through different places.
Jack Hirsh, Hardware Editor (@JR_HIRSHey): The golf course. This isn’t surprising to me personally, but reports of Aronimink’s possible obsolescence seem to have been greatly exaggerated. Rory said before the tournament that there was no penalty for missing the fairway and it turned out that the difference in proximity between hitting the fairway or not was actually greater than the PGA Tour average. It seems that the roughness of the slopes and undulations of the green proved quite a challenge as well. I saw a lot of players hitting some chip shots. Is Aronimink short by most modern standards? Of course, but it is very well protected. What is interesting is how packed the field is and I wonder if that will continue on Friday when the winds are supposed to be even stronger.
Josh Schrock, news editor (@schrock_and_awe): Kaymer is the biggest friend to me. He hasn’t had a top 10 in LIV since last July in the UK. His finishes this season in the rebel league are as follows: T51, T52, T42, T31, T25, T39. Nothing about this screams top contender and yet he’s in the mix. An honorable mention to Rory McIlroy, finishing his round with four straight bogeys to shoot four over and put himself in danger of missing the cut. Neither of those were on my bingo card this week.
