Rory McIlroy Arrives at Aronimink With a Second Green Jacket and His Eyes on Major No. 7

One year ago, Rory McIlroy showed up to the PGA Championship riding high off completing the career Grand Slam at the Masters. He left disappointed with a tie for 47th. Fast forward twelve months, and the Northern Irishman is walking into Aronimink Golf Club as a rejuvenated competitor. He's got a Ryder Cup victory under his belt, a second green jacket in his closet, and zero patience for setbacks like the blister on his right pinky toe that's been nagging him since last Friday.

"Coming into this tournament feels a lot different than what it did last year," McIlroy said. "I feel like I've got some nice clear road ahead to try to get some more of these majors." A seventh major win this week would tie him with Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, and Bobby Jones. Yeah, that's the company he's chasing.

The Course Is as Mean as It Looks

Aronimink hasn't hosted a men's major since 1962 when Gary Player won, but the 2018 renovation by Gil Hanse transformed it into something brutal. The par-70, 7,394-yard track ditched most of its trees in the redesign, but don't mistake that for a break. The course makes up for it with 174 bunkers, including over 20 on the par-4 11th hole alone. Approach shots climb uphill into sloped green complexes that don't forgive mistakes.

"Strategy off the tee is pretty nonexistent. It's basically bash driver down there and then figure it out from there," McIlroy said. "The greens are the main focus this week, and getting yourself in the right sections of the greens, making sure you leave yourself below the hole for the most part. That's the key this week."

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1 who won the 2025 PGA at Quail Hollow and the Open Championship before summer ended, sees the same challenge. "Course is firming up. Greens are diabolical," said 2024 champion Xander Schauffele. "It should be a really good test."

97 of the Top 100 Are Here to Fight

The strongest field of the year descended on Newtown Square, Pennsylvania with 156 total players, including 11 LIV Golf members and 20 PGA teaching professionals. Michael Block, the fan favorite who tied for 15th at Oak Hill three years ago and made a hole-in-one on Sunday, is back in the mix. The top 70 and ties advance after 36 holes.

Cameron Young is a trendy pick after winning The Players Championship and the Cadillac Championship this spring, rising to No. 3 in the world. Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland, and Ludvig Aberg are also seeking their first major titles. The PGA Championship has crowned 12 first-time major winners since 2001, so one of these names could easily be next.

Jordan Spieth's annual quest for his fourth major continues this week. He needs just the PGA to complete the career Grand Slam, but he hasn't won on tour since 2022. "My game has been getting better and better," Spieth said. "It's plenty good to have a chance to win."

McIlroy cut his Tuesday practice short on the fourth hole due to that toe blister, but he was back Wednesday and expected to compete when the championship begins Thursday. This is the field we've all been waiting for.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.