Golf Grand Slam

The Course: Aronimink Golf Club

The 108th PGA Championship returns to Aronimink Golf Club for the first time since Gary Player won here in 1962. Donald Ross’s 1928 masterpiece — restored by Gil Hanse in 2017 — plays to a par of 70 at roughly 7,200 yards through rolling, tree-lined terrain west of Philadelphia. Ross himself called it his finest design. Unlike the bomb-and-gouge tracks that have dominated recent majors, Aronimink demands a complete game: precise driving into narrow landing zones, sharp mid-iron play into contoured green complexes, and deft short-game work around Ross’s trademark runoff areas. With 75 bunkers and constantly shifting elevation, pars here are genuinely earned.

What the Course Rewards

Approach play is the single most important statistical category this week. Ross’s par 4s are designed to funnel conservative tee shots into wider fairway sections — but those safer angles leave 150-to-200-yard approaches into demanding, tiered greens. Players who excel with mid-irons and can dial in precise distances will have a major edge. Driving accuracy matters more than raw distance; rough is expected to be penal. Scrambling around the classic green complexes will separate the field on weekends, while putting on fast, undulating Ross surfaces will be the final differentiator. Course history is largely absent — only 29 players in the field have competitive experience at Aronimink from the 2018 BMW Championship — which opens the door for a wider range of contenders.

Favorites

Scottie Scheffler (+450) — The defending champion and world No. 1 enters as the clear favorite with a 16% win probability. He leads the field in true strokes gained this season at nearly +3.0 per round, tops tee-to-green, and finished runner-up at the 2026 Masters. His complete game is ideally suited to a course that demands excellence in every phase.

Rory McIlroy (+800) — Fresh off winning the 2026 Masters for his career Grand Slam, McIlroy arrives with enormous momentum. He has two PGA Championship titles and the kind of iron play that Aronimink will reward. His ball-striking ranks among the best in the field this season.

Cameron Young (+1100) — The hottest player in the world not named Scheffler. Young has wins at the Players and Cadillac Championships in 2026 and finished T3 at the Masters. His elite ball-striking and power game translate well to a course that still rewards length when paired with precision.

Contenders to Watch

Matt Fitzpatrick (+1400) — Three wins already in 2026, all in his last five starts. A precise iron player whose controlled ball-flight and scrambling ability are tailor-made for a Ross design. Finished T8 at the 2025 PGA Championship.

Tommy Fleetwood (+2500) — Five top-10s this season and the 2025 Tour Championship title to his name. Still hunting his first major, and this course — one that rewards patience and iron precision over brute power — suits his game profile well.

Justin Rose (+value) — Won the 2010 AT&T National at Aronimink and finished runner-up at the 2018 BMW Championship here. More course-specific history at this venue than almost anyone in the field, which could be a meaningful edge given the lack of major championship experience here.

Xander Schauffele — Major champion with elite consistency across all phases of the game. Has shown strong form in 2026 and his approach play ranks among the best in the world.

Value Picks for Your Pool

With minimal course history available for most of the field, the Research tabs carry extra weight this week — lean on the Adjusted Score as your primary guide. Look for mid-tier picks ($4-$6) who rank well in SG: Approach and driving accuracy rather than distance. Players with 2018 BMW Championship experience at Aronimink have a small but real edge. Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose both represent strong value relative to their pool ownership. Avoid over-indexing on pure bombers — this is a course that has historically humbled players who rely on distance alone.

Key Stats for Aronimink

• SG: Approach — most predictive stat this week; mid-iron precision into contoured greens is everything
• Driving Accuracy — penal rough makes fairways a premium; accuracy beats distance here
• SG: Around the Green — Ross’s runoff areas and tight pin positions demand elite scrambling
• SG: Putting — fast, undulating greens with multiple tiers will expose poor putters
• 2018 BMW Championship history — only relevant course history available; Bradley, Rose, and others with top finishes here worth noting