Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Jordan Spieth bring major intrigue to Aronimink as the PGA Championship begins.
The PGA Championship has arrived at Aronimink Golf Club, bringing major championship golf back to the Philadelphia area and setting up a week loaded with star power, pressure and fascinating storylines.
Start with Scottie Scheffler. His season has been unusual by his sky-high standards.
He opened the year with a win at The American Express, then spent the next several starts chasing instead of controlling tournaments.
The biggest surprise was his iron play. After three straight seasons ranked No. 1 in Strokes Gained: Approach, Scheffler entered this week sitting 42nd in that category.
But the trend is turning. He ranked third in approach at the Masters and sixth at the Cadillac Championship, signs that his biggest weapon is returning at exactly the right time.
Justin Rose is another name to watch at Aronimink. Few players in the field know this Donald Ross layout better.
Rose won at Aronimink in 2010, finished T15 there in 2011 and nearly won again in 2018 before losing a playoff to Keegan Bradley.
That week still helped push him to world No. 1. His recent form has cooled, but course comfort matters in major championships.
Jordan Spieth’s chase for the career Grand Slam also returns to the spotlight. This is his 10th try at winning the PGA Championship, and while he finished T3 in 2019, he hasn’t posted a top-20 in this event since.
Spieth says every part of his game has flashed this season, but he hasn’t put it all together for four rounds.
Then there’s Rory McIlroy. After winning the Masters again, he insists this year won’t bring the same post-Augusta lull. Aronimink gives him an immediate chance to prove it.
With Scheffler surging, McIlroy chasing more history and Rose leaning on old memories, this PGA Championship has plenty of juice.
Join Our Roundtable Community For Free! Share your takes, connect with our Roundtable writers, and talk sports with fellow fans. Download the free Roundtable App today and stay closer to the conversation.