The 2026 PGA Championship began on May 14 at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. As the second major of the year, the tournament tests the ability of elite golfers to adapt to a historic course that has not hosted this event since Gary Player’s victory in 1962.
The championship presents a significant test of tactical adaptability. Success at a major requires players to manage the specific challenges of the course while maintaining mental composure under high-pressure conditions. As the field competes at Aronimink, the tournament serves as a definitive measure of which players can solve the environmental and psychological difficulties inherent in championship golf.
The Historical Challenge of Aronimink
Aronimink Golf Club provides a demanding backdrop for this year’s competition. The venue has not hosted the PGA Championship since 1962, when Gary Player secured the title. The return to this historic course introduces variables that modern players must account for, including course setup and the specific demands of the Pennsylvania terrain.
The timing of the event also remains a point of institutional discussion. While there have been considerations regarding a move back to the major’s traditional August date, the PGA of America has maintained the current May schedule. Officials have expressed confidence in the May slot, despite the potential for weather-related challenges that often accompany the spring season.
Momentum from the 2026 Season
The players arriving in Newtown Square have demonstrated varying degrees of success throughout the 2026 season, providing evidence of who is currently best equipped to handle competitive pressure. The early months of the year have seen several players establish significant momentum through diverse victories.
Chris Gotterup has emerged as a consistent performer in the early part of the season, securing wins at the Sony Open at the Waialae Country Club on Jan. 18 and the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on Feb. 8. Other notable winners include Justin Rose, who claimed the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course on Feb. 1, and Scottie Scheffler, who won The American Express at PGA West on Jan. 25.
The dominance of a few select athletes remains a central theme in professional golf. Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy have won four of the last five major tournaments between them. As the PGA Championship progresses, the question is whether these established leaders can maintain their edge or if the specific difficulties of Aronimink will allow for a new victor to emerge.
Tactical Precision and Technical Adjustments
Beyond pure skill, the ability to make technical and equipment-based decisions is a key component of success in major championships. Players often make specific adjustments to their gear to address the unique conditions of a tournament site.
PGA Tour star Cameron Young recently addressed the technical trade-offs players face, stating We’re All Sacrificing
in reference to unusual golf ball choices. Such decisions highlight the meticulous approach required to manage the nuances of a testing course. In a sport where a single stroke can determine the outcome, these small tactical shifts are often what separate the winners from the rest of the field.
As the tournament continues, the focus remains on how these players manage the intersection of technical precision, equipment strategy, and the inherent unpredictability of championship golf. The ability to solve the problems presented by Aronimink will ultimately determine the 2026 champion.