Scottie Scheffler opens the PGA Championship tied for the lead after a three-under 67 at Aronimink, describing it as his strongest tournament start of the year. The world number one, who has often begun majors slowly this season, holds a share of top spot after 18 holes at a venue presenting demanding fairways and firm, sloping greens.
Scheffler sits in a seven-way tie on three under alongside Martin Kaymer, Alex Smalley, Aldrich Potgieter, Stephan Jaeger, Min-Woo Lee and Ryo Hisatsune. Shane Lowry, Patrick Reed and England’s Daniel Brown, who is playing an overseas major for the first time, are one stroke back after opening rounds that keep them close to the leaders.
The world number one has often found opening rounds difficult in 2026, especially
at the Masters, where a slow start left Scheffler chasing Rory McIlroy and unable to close the gap. This week’s fast beginning at Aronimink therefore marks a change, and it is also the first occasion Scheffler has held or shared a major lead after 18 holes.
Scheffler explains that accuracy from the tee is vital on this layout and stresses how punishing the putting surfaces are. "At this moment, it's anybody's tournament, said Scheffler. Definitely the best start I've gotten off to this year, maybe besides American Express maybe. " Scheffler highlights that even small errors into the greens can quickly turn a promising hole into a struggle.
Discussing the Aronimink challenge further, Scheffler focuses on how approaches and putting shape scoring possibilities. "It's always important to get the ball on the fairway. I think around this golf course there's a lot of run-ups on the greens, and they put the pins on some of the high points. So your scores are definitely going to be lower if you hit the ball on the fairway, but it's still really, really difficult to make birdies. You hit some really nice iron shots in there to 10, 15 feet, and you've got putts with a ton of break on them. This golf course, especially on the greens, is quite challenging. "
Up to you, Scottie! (He's in a seven-way co-lead @PGAChampionship) https://t.co/GBIlFb9zQg pic.twitter.com/u9yKceLw7dPGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 15, 2026
While Scheffler moves into a share of first place, McIlroy faces a battle to recover after a four-over 74. McIlroy began with a bogey and then dropped four more shots on the back nine. That run undid earlier progress and left McIlroy well behind Scheffler and the other leaders after hitting just five fairways.
McIlroy describes how wayward drives created constant problems into Aronimink’s narrow targets and caused the round to unravel. "I started missing fairways. I missed the fairway right on four, the fairway right on six, the fairway right on seven, fairway right on nine. From there, it's hard. I didn't have great angles either. Then obviously you start missing it just off the edges of these greens, it gets tricky. "
With Scheffler sharing the lead, several players one shot behind, and McIlroy needing a strong second round, the PGA Championship remains wide open after day one. The narrow gaps on the leaderboard, combined with Aronimink’s demanding greens and tight landing areas, suggest that control from the tee and patience on the putting surfaces will continue to decide progress.
