Rory McIlroy’s major hunt continues at US PGA Championship in Pennsylvania
By Scott Hunt, Press Association
The second major of the year gets under way in Pennsylvania on May 14th.
After last month’s thrilling conclusion at Augusta, the sport’s top names are queuing up for more major glory. Here, the Press Association looks at what to expect.
Can Rory do it again?
Rory McIlroy defied underwhelming pre-Masters form to clinch back-to-back green jackets at Augusta and his bid to climb up the list of all-time major winners continues at the US PGA Championship. The Northern Irishman’s sixth major triumph drew him level with Nick Faldo and adding a third US PGA Championship crown would make him the most successful European of all time, drawing level with the great Arnold Palmer among others on seven majors.
Where is this year’s championship?
The 108th edition of the PGA Championship takes place at Aronimink Golf Club, just outside Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. It will be the second time the course has hosted the event, the first in 1962 when Gary Player clinched the third of his nine majors. Justin Rose won the AT&T National at the course in 2010 and Keegan Bradley the BMW Championship in 2018.
What is the course like?
Two days early practice @pgachampionship @aroniminkgolfclub Course is in perfect condition. Reasonably wide fairways but firm, very fast and sloping. Definitely difficult to hit on some of doglegs with slopes. With the exception of a few holes surprisingly not that long,… pic.twitter.com/MHozRHJSb0
— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) May 5, 2026
Aronimink is characterised by its long par-threes and the way it forces players to pull off tough approach shots and think their way around the course. Three of its four par-threes are over 200 yards. Thick rough will catch out errant tee shots, while tricky, undulating greens will make approach play and putting key elements of the championship.
What are the key holes?
Without a doubt… Aronimink is a gem. 🏆#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/HmeKo8u3u7
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) April 19, 2026
Hole one: Labelled by some as the most daunting opener in golf, the 434-yard par four plunges down into a valley before rising to a green surrounded by bunkers.
Hole eight: The longest of the par-threes, standing at around a challenging 242 yards for the 2026 championship. Club selection will be key and this is a hole which will test accuracy.
Hole nine: Aronimink makes you wait for its first par-five and it is a whopper at over 600 yards. The longer hitters will be licking their lips as they take aim with a second shot to a generous green. Eagle and birdie opportunity.
Hole 10: The turn for home begins with a serious challenge. The tee shot will need to flirt with the fairway bunkers before attacking a sloping green guarded by thick rough and water.
Hole 17: Could be where the trophy is won and lost. A long, downhill, par-three set up to create drama with a pond down the left side of the green and a tricky surface which makes two-putting far from certain.
