PGA Championship opens at Aronimink as Scheffler leads stacked field

The 2026 PGA Championship commenced on Thursday at Aronimink Golf Club in Newton Square, Pennsylvania, marking the beginning of the second major of the year. The event, held at a rare stop on the major rotation, features a field of 156 golfers competing for the Wanamaker Trophy. The first round began at 6:45 a.m. ET, with the defending champion, Scottie Scheffler, entering as the clear favourite.

Scheffler, who won the 2025 PGA Championship, is joined by a strong contingent of contenders including Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young, Jon Rahm, and Bryson DeChambeau. McIlroy, a back-to-back Masters winner, is listed as the second favourite on the odds board. Young is described as the "hottest player in the world," having recorded top 10 finishes in six of his last seven starts, including two victories this season.

The field also includes Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, who are competing against the PGA Tour field, highlighting the ongoing integration of LIV Golf players into major championship events. Jordan Spieth is among the other significant names aiming for contention, attempting to complete his career grand slam.

CBS Sports provided live coverage of the first round, with television broadcasts on ESPN and ESPN2. Streaming was available via ESPN+ from 6:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET. Additional coverage aired at 8 p.m. on CBS Sports HQ, Paramount+, and Golf on CBS YouTube.

Rounds 3 and 4 are scheduled to air from 1-7 p.m. ET on CBS this Saturday and Sunday. The event continues to draw attention as a key fixture in the broader golf calendar, with the world's best players vying for supremacy at Aronimink.