“Golf should be a pleasure,” said Donald Ross, who designed Aronimink. While this sentiment is lovely, watching the PGA Championship unfold, you might wonder if the players were enjoying themselves. Shane Lowry certainly didn’t look pleased when he sent his ball into the water at hole 17. Scottie Scheffler seemed ready to throw his wedge after a tough shot on the 6th. Even Justin Thomas and Keegan Bradley were visibly frustrated as they debated slow play penalties with officials.
For the spectators, the real entertainment came from seeing top golfers grapple with the same frustrations that amateurs experience weekly. The standout performance, if you could call it that, was the impressive lag putting, which some purists appreciated.
This tournament was expected to be different. It had been over 60 years since a major was held here, and many believed modern players would tear it apart. Bookmakers predicted a winning score around 14 under par, with some thinking a new record might be set.
As the tournament progressed, however, it became clear that low scores weren’t easy to come by. At the halfway point, just two under was competitive, with three under being a strong position for the weekend.
Experts pointed to various reasons for the surprising outcomes: stiff winds, cooler temperatures, and particularly challenging pin placements. Scheffler noted, “The hardest set of pin locations I’ve seen.” The greens at Aronimink are large and fast, making it tough to get close to the hole. Scheffler highlighted the difficulty of the pin position on the 14th, which sat on a challenging slope, turning a long putt into a real test of skill.
Despite his struggles, Scheffler managed a 71, ending the day at two under. He raised an interesting question: “Is making it harder the best test of golf?” The tight leaderboard suggests that the game has become even more challenging, with top players often struggling to differentiate themselves.
Leading the way was Alex Smalley, 29, sitting at four under, alongside Maverick McNealy, 30. Smalley, yet to win in his seven years as a pro, and McNealy, who won the RSM Classic in 2024, both found themselves in rare company atop the leaderboard. South Africa’s Aldrich Potgieter, just 21 and playing in only his fifth major, had been impressive earlier in the tournament. He started at five under but slipped due to back-to-back bogeys on holes 17 and 18. A champion wrestler previously, Potgieter is known for his powerful drives.
Behind the leaders, Hideki Matsuyama trailed by two shots after a solid round of 67. Chris Gotterup delivered the best score of the day with a superb 65, putting him in contention. Other strong players like Scheffler, Cameron Young, Justin Thomas, and Ludvig Åberg were just lurking behind, ready to pounce.
Rory McIlroy, who shot three under, still had some work to do after a rough start with four bogeys on the first day. With expectations of better weather, fans are hopeful the scores will improve as the tournament continues.
While the road hasn’t been smooth for many top golfers at Aronimink, their struggles remind us that golf, even at the highest level, is a game of patience and skill—and sometimes, it’s just plain hard.
For more on the championship, you can check out live updates from The Guardian.
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