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Aaron Rai's win at the 2026 PGA Championship did more than hand him a first major. It kept the season from collapsing into another two-man brand war and reminded golf that majors are better when they stay weird.
Aaron Rai won the 2026 PGA Championship on Sunday, May 17 at Aronimink, closing with a 5-under 65 to beat Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley by three shots for his first major title.
After one round at the 2026 PGA Championship, Aronimink looks much less like a dumb driver contest and much more like the complete-golf exam a major should be.
The PGA of America released featured groups and Thursday-Friday starting times for the 2026 PGA Championship on May 12. Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, and Jordan Spieth got the headline pod, and it feels entirely earned.
Rory McIlroy said on May 12 that strategy off the tee at Aronimink is 'pretty nonexistent' and that players can basically 'bash driver down there.' If that read holds, the 2026 PGA Championship may lose some of the chess-match feel majors are supposed to have.
The updated 2026 PGA Championship field now includes Sepp Straka and Ryan Fox after their May 10 wins, giving Aronimink two more in-form names and one less reason to feel predictable.
Phil Mickelson withdrew from the 2026 PGA Championship on May 5 due to a family health matter, and Max Homa moved into the field at Aronimink.