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Fast, sloping putting surfaces expected to be the course’s main defence
As more players arrive at Aronimink Golf Club ahead of this week’s PGA Championship 2026, one theme continues to dominate conversations: the greens will define the championship.
The Donald Ross-designed venue hosts the PGA Championship for the first time since 1962, and many players are still learning the subtleties of the layout. But those with previous experience at Aronimink believe the putting surfaces will be the course’s biggest defence.
Rory McIlroy, who played here during the 2018 BMW Championship, expects firmer conditions than the rain-softened setup seen that week.
“The greens are the big talking point,” McIlroy said. “If you get above the hole or out of position, you can get yourself into some really tricky spots.”
McIlroy described the course as relatively generous off the tee, but one that demands far more precision into the greens and careful positioning below the hole.
Justin Rose spent much of his practice day studying the greens rather than playing full holes, walking the course mainly with a wedge and putter to better understand slopes, pin positions and approach angles.
“It’s about understanding where you can miss — and where you absolutely can’t,” Rose explained.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler believes course conditions could dramatically influence how difficult Aronimink plays. If the fairways remain firm, approaching these greens from the thick rough will become significantly more demanding.
“If it stays firm, it’ll be an awesome test,” Scheffler said. “But if it softens up, players can become much more aggressive off the tee.”
Both Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele also highlighted the green complexes as the key challenge of the week. Fitzpatrick described some of them as “severe,” while Schauffele said players themselves will determine how difficult the course plays through their decisions around the pins.