The PGA Championship is set to begin at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, as Scottie Scheffler aims to defend his title. Masters champion Rory McIlroy leads a star-studded field in pursuit of the second major of the year.
Scottie Scheffler's Title Defense
Scheffler won the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow by a commanding five strokes, finishing ahead of Bryson DeChambeau, Harris English, and Davis Riley, who tied for second. McIlroy, who recently completed a career Grand Slam at the Masters, finished tied for 47th at that event.
Jake Knapp Withdraws Due to Injury
American golfer Jake Knapp has been forced to withdraw from the USPGA Championship due to a thumb injury. The nature and timing of the injury remain unclear, but Knapp has not competed since the RBC Heritage and also withdrew from the two tournaments leading up to the PGA Championship. Tom Hoge will replace Knapp in the 156-player field, marking his 22nd major appearance. Hoge previously finished in the top 10 at the 2022 PGA Championship. The PGA confirmed the change in a statement: "Field update: Jake Knapp has withdrawn from the 2026 PGA Championship due to injury. Tom Hoge is now in the field."
Jordan Spieth Opens Up on Grand Slam Ambitions
Jordan Spieth, who has won the Masters, US Open, and The Open, is seeking the only major missing from his collection: the PGA Championship. He will compete in his 14th PGA Championship at Aronimink, having come closest to victory with a second-place finish in 2015. A win would make him the seventh golfer to achieve a career Grand Slam. However, Spieth admitted his game is inconsistent. "If you look at the stats, yeah, it's a Whac-a-Mole situation because I have had weeks where I'm leading in putting, weeks where I'm leading in driving, weeks where I am leading in ballstriking, and then I just haven't been able to kind of put them all together," he said. Reflecting on the possibility of winning, Spieth added: "It would be amazing, right, because it's just a very, very short list in history. Just winning this tournament in general would be very special. The Ryder Cup's been such an important part of my life, and the PGA of America, having my instructor that I've been with for pretty much my whole career be a PGA of America professional, so there's many reasons. But obviously with having won the other three, that's the one that everyone focuses on. But when I'm out here, and certainly when I get out on the golf course, I've been in contention a couple of times in this tournament. It didn't feel any different than any other majors, so I wouldn't expect to if I get there this week."
