McIlroy Ties Seventh at 2026 PGA Championship as Rai Ends American Dominance
The Northern Irishman’s best major result since 2014 was defined by missed opportunities on par-5s, while Aaron Rai secured his first major title at Aronimink.
Rory McIlroy finished tied for seventh at the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, finishing five shots behind winner Aaron Rai. The result marks McIlroy’s best performance at a major championship since his second victory in 2014, yet it was characterised by a narrow margin between contention and a podium finish. McIlroy attributed the outcome to specific errors on the par-5 holes and a bogey on the drivable par-4 13th hole during the final round.
Rai, 31, claimed his first major championship title with a final-round five-under 65, including a pivotal 69-foot putt on the 17th green to extend his lead. The victory ended a decade-long period of American dominance in the PGA Championship, with Rai finishing at 9-under 271. Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley finished joint second, three shots behind the winner, while Justin Thomas, Ludvig Aberg, and Matthias Schmid tied for third at five under par.
McIlroy’s week saw him shoot three consecutive rounds in the 60s following an opening 74. He finished the tournament even par on the eight par-5 holes, whereas Rai finished six under par on the same holes. In the final round, McIlroy shot a 69 but recorded only two birdies and never seriously challenged the lead, which flipped between Smalley and Schmid before Rai’s back-nine 31 took control.
A significant factor in McIlroy’s struggles on the long holes was a lack of accuracy with the driver. Despite ranking second in driving distance for the week, he hit only 41 percent of his fairways. He ranked 12th in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, a statistic that highlighted the difficulty of navigating the course’s demanding layout when accuracy was compromised.
Reflecting on the final round, McIlroy noted that birdieing the two par-5s and turning the bogey on the 13th into a par would have changed the day’s trajectory. He expressed happiness for Rai, stating that no one on property would be more elated for the first-time major winner. McIlroy will skip upcoming PGA Tour events in Texas and proceed to the Memorial Tournament, followed by the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.
