The opening round of the 2026 PGA Championship delivered exactly what golf fans wanted drama, collapsing favourites, surprise names at the top, and a brutal test at Aronimink Golf Club.
While many expected a Rory McIlroy masterclass after his recent Masters dominance, it was defending champion Scottie Scheffler who once again showed why he’s the man to beat in major championships.
Scheffler Looks Unstoppable
Scheffler battled difficult conditions and a brutally demanding golf course to finish tied for the lead after Round 1 at 3-under-par. According to updated betting markets, he has now shortened dramatically to around +170 favourite after an exceptional closing stretch featuring birdies on four of his final six holes.
The scary part?
He didn’t even look fully comfortable for much of the day.
That’s the sign of a world-class major champion — surviving when others collapse.
Scheffler’s consistency in majors is becoming Tiger-like. Since 2022, no player has performed better in golf’s biggest events.
The Surprise Names on the Leader board
While Scheffler was expected near the top, several surprise names joined him at 3-under:
- Min Woo Lee
- Martin Kaymer
- Alex Smalley
- Aldrich Potgieter
- Stephan Jaeger
- Ryo Hisatsune
The standout among them was Min Woo Lee, whose aggressive style and elite driving proved perfect for Aronimink’s setup. He now looks like a genuine contender heading into the weekend.
Martin Kaymer’s resurgence also caught attention. The former PGA Champion rolled back the years with a composed and clinical opening round.
Rory McIlroy’s Nightmare Start
After arriving as one of the favourites following back-to-back Masters victories, Rory McIlroy endured a disastrous opening round.
McIlroy struggled badly off the tee and finished at 4-over-par, leaving him outside the projected cut line after Day One.
Given his phenomenal history on similar setups and recent form, few expected such a difficult start.
However, writing Rory off completely would be dangerous. If anyone can shoot a low Friday round and claw back into contention, it’s him.
Biggest Winners from Round One
🔥 Scottie Scheffler
The clear favourite now. Calm under pressure and statistically dominant in majors.
🔥 Min Woo Lee
Fearless golf and explosive scoring ability make him dangerous.
🔥 Xander Schauffele
Quietly sitting one shot back and perfectly positioned for the weekend.
🔥 Ludvig Åberg
Still looks like one of the most complete young players in the field despite not exploding on Day One.
Updated Odds to Win the PGA Championship
| Player | Current Odds |
|---|---|
| Scottie Scheffler | +170 |
| Xander Schauffele | 10/1 |
| Jon Rahm | 12/1 |
| Min Woo Lee | 20/1 |
| Ludvig Åberg | 22/1 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | 25/1 |
| Rory McIlroy | Drifted significantly |
Who Will Win?
Right now, it’s hard to look past Scottie Scheffler.
Aronimink is demanding:
- elite iron play
- patience
- scrambling
- mental resilience
That’s basically a description of Scheffler’s entire game.
But if there’s one player capable of making a huge Friday charge and flipping the tournament narrative completely, it’s Rory McIlroy.
And don’t sleep on Xander Schauffele, he’s quietly becoming one of the most reliable major performers in golf.