The 2026 PGA Championship began with an unexpected seven-way tie for the lead at 3-under 67, marking the largest opening-round logjam in a major championship in 57 years. Held at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, the course’s fast fairways, sloped greens, and strong winds created a stiff challenge, resulting in only seven players breaking par. World number one Scottie Scheffler carded a steady round with two long birdie putts and a fortunate sprinkler relief on the 17th hole to stay in contention. He was joined by a surprising group including former PGA champion Martin Kaymer, ranked 1,160th globally, and other top contenders like Min Woo Lee, Ryo Hisatsune, and Alex Smalley.

Scheffler’s performance marked his first time sharing the lead after the opening round of a major this season, despite a generally inconsistent year. His ability to hit 17 of 18 fairways showcased his precision, though he acknowledged the difficulty of making birdies on such a demanding layout. The last time a major saw a larger lead group was in 1969, when nine players were tied at the top. This year’s field remains tightly packed, with 48 players within three strokes of the lead, setting up a highly competitive tournament.

Other big names had mixed results. Rory McIlroy stumbled with four consecutive bogeys to finish at 74, while Jordan Spieth and Jon Rahm shot 69 despite late struggles. Rahm rallied with an eagle chip-in from the fairway and a birdie on the tough 8th hole. Meanwhile, Patrick Reed was the only player to complete the round without a bogey, finishing at 68. Defending champion Scheffler now joins Tiger Woods and Brooks Koepka as the only players to hold at least a share of the lead after the first round while defending their title—a group that could inspire momentum or added pressure in the days ahead.