Scheffler shares historic lead at US PGA as Aronimink defies expectations

World number one Scottie Scheffler shares the first-round lead at the 2026 US PGA Championship with six other players after shooting a three-under-par 67 at the difficult Aronimink course. The challenging conditions, characterised by thick rough and sloping greens, resulted in only 32 players finishing under par. Defending champion Scheffler leads a seven-way tie that includes Martin Kaymer, Stephan Jaeger, Aldrich Potgieter, Min-Woo Lee, Ryo Hisatsune, and Alex Smalley. Masters champion Rory McIlroy struggled, finishing seven shots behind the leaders with a four-over-par 74.

This seven-way tie marks the largest logjam in 57 years following the opening round of a major championship. It is the first time Scheffler has led a major after 18 holes, breaking a pattern of struggling to make fast starts this season. The low score to par being worse than three-under for the first time since 2008 highlights the severity of the course setup.

Former major winner Martin Kaymer, who moved to LIV Golf in 2022, revealed that a PGA of America member asking at the Champions Dinner if he was still playing professionally motivated his current form. Kaymer recorded his second major success at the 2014 US Open but has not finished higher than joint 25th in six LIV events this season.

Patrick Reed, who is one shot off the lead, was the only player to sign a bogey-free card. Jon Rahm finished one under par and suggested the PGA of America adjusted the course setup in response to early predictions that 15 to 20 under par would be the winning score.

Bryson DeChambeau posted a six-over-par 76, his highest score in the PGA Championship. The conditions proved difficult for many competitors, with the undulating course and wind proving challenging for power hitters.