The PGA Championship opened with drama and anticipation at Aronimink Golf Club. Braden Shattuck hit the opening shot of the 108th PGA Championship on Thursday. Yankee Scores reports.
Braden Shattuck, one of 20 club pros in the field, struck the first shot of the 108th edition, a drive that veered toward the fence line, leaving uncertainty hanging over the start of golf’s second major of the year.
Course Challenges Await
Aronimink, hosting its first major since 1962, has undergone a restoration project nearly 10 years ago that added bunkers and removed trees. Overnight rain softened conditions, but forecasts of drier weather and swirling winds promise to test players throughout the week. The stage is set for a demanding championship.
Spotlight on McIlroy and Spieth
Masters champion Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth teed off in the morning, bringing Grand Slam storylines into sharp focus. Spieth needs this PGA Championship to complete the career slam, while McIlroy is chasing the rare calendar slam after his Augusta triumph. Not since Spieth in 2015 has anyone captured the first two majors of the season.
Meanwhile, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler prepared to take the course in the afternoon, adding another layer of intrigue.
Early Drama
Shattuck, the PGA director of instruction at Rolling Green just miles away, had to take a penalty for an unplayable lie near the fence. He hacked out of the rough and carded a double bogey, a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift at Aronimink.
The Stakes Ahead
With history on the line for McIlroy and Spieth, and a course primed to challenge the world’s best, the 2026 PGA Championship promises high drama. Fans will watch closely as the pursuit of golf’s most elusive achievements unfolds in Philadelphia.
