PGA Championship 2026: Round Two Tee Times and How to Watch a Packed Leaderboard at Aronimink

The 2026 PGA Championship has roared into life at the historic Aronimink Golf Club in Philadelphia, and the opening round delivered exactly the kind of high-stakes drama that major championship golf promises. The course, a classic William Flynn design, has played tougher than many anticipated, with the congested leaderboard reflecting a stern test that has separated the contenders from the pretenders. As the sun sets on day one, seven players are tied for the lead at three-under-par, setting up a fascinating second round where the margin for error is razor-thin.

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler is right where he wants to be—in a share of the lead—but the story of the day was the resurgence of a former champion. Martin Kaymer, 16 years removed from his stunning eight-shot victory at Whistling Straits in 2010, carded a vintage three-under 67 to join the logjam at the top. Meanwhile, a host of major champions are lurking just one shot back, including Patrick Reed, Shane Lowry, and Xander Schauffele. But not everyone is smiling. The Masters champion, still reeling from a disastrous final four holes that included four consecutive bogeys, sits seven shots off the pace, while Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau face uphill battles after disappointing starts.

Here is your complete guide to round two at Aronimink, including full tee times, how to watch the action, and expert analysis of the key storylines.

How to Watch Round Two of the PGA Championship 2026

If you are planning to follow the second round from Aronimink, the broadcast schedule is split across multiple platforms to ensure you don’t miss a single shot. The action begins early, with the first tee time scheduled for 6:50 AM ET, and the coverage will stretch well into the evening as the cut line takes shape.

Television Broadcast (US):

• ESPN: 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET (Primary coverage, featuring the afternoon wave of contenders)
• ESPN2: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET (Early window for featured groups)

Streaming Options:

• ESPN+: 6:50 AM – 2:00 PM ET (Early coverage of morning tee times, plus featured groups all day)
• Paramount+: 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET (Simulcast of ESPN’s main broadcast)
• PGA Championship App: Live scoring, shot-by-shot tracking, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content

International Viewers:

• Sky Sports Golf (UK): 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM BST
• NBC Sports (Canada): 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET
• Fox Sports (Australia): 4:00 AM – 10:00 AM AEST (Saturday morning)

Key Featured Groups to Watch (via ESPN+):

• Scottie Scheffler, Martin Kaymer, Patrick Reed – The co-leaders and a former champion. Fireworks guaranteed.
• Xander Schauffele, Shane Lowry, Collin Morikawa – Three major winners with a combined six titles between them.
• Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, The Masters Champion – The “comeback” group, all needing low rounds to survive the cut.

Round Two Tee Times: The Key Groups and Storylines

The second round tee times at Aronimink are staggered to allow the course to recover from the morning dew, but the real drama will unfold in the afternoon when the leaders take to the fairways. The cut line is projected to fall around two-over-par, meaning several big names are already on the bubble.

Morning Wave (Early Starters – 6:50 AM – 10:00 AM ET):

• This group includes players who shot over-par in round one, including Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland, who both need to post a score in the 60s to avoid an early exit.
• Bryson DeChambeau (tee time: 7:30 AM ET) is five-over after a round that included three double bogeys. He is likely out of contention for the win but needs a strong round to make the weekend.
• The Masters Champion (tee time: 7:40 AM ET) finished with four consecutive bogeys to fall to four-over. The psychological toll of that finish cannot be underestimated. He needs to find his putting stroke fast.

Afternoon Wave (Late Starters – 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM ET):

• Scottie Scheffler (tee time: 1:50 PM ET) will be the center of attention. The defending champion is calm under pressure, but Aronimink’s narrow fairways and firm greens test even his elite ball-striking.
• Martin Kaymer (tee time: 1:40 PM ET) is the sentimental favorite. The German’s putting has been erratic for years, but if he rolls it well again, he could separate from the pack.
• Patrick Reed (tee time: 1:50 PM ET) thrives on chaos. He won the 2018 Masters with a similar style—gritty, unorthodox, and clutch. Do not count him out.
• Xander Schauffele (tee time: 1:30 PM ET) is the most consistent player without a major win in recent years. A two-under 68 in round one was textbook Schauffele: boringly efficient.

Rory McIlroy (tee time: 1:20 PM ET) is the wildcard. The Northern Irishman shot a disappointing one-over 71, but we have seen him turn around a slow start at majors before. If the putter heats up, he can shoot 65. If not, he will be watching from home on Saturday.

Expert Analysis: Who Will Rise and Who Will Fall at Aronimink?

After watching round one unfold in person and on tape, several patterns emerged that will define round two. The key to success at Aronimink is driving accuracy over distance. The rough is thick, and the greens are tilted like saucers. Players who hit fairways—like Scottie Scheffler and Shane Lowry—are scoring. Those who spray it—like Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy—are scrambling for pars.

Prediction: Scottie Scheffler will hold or extend his lead. The defending champion is hitting his irons with surgical precision. Even when he missed greens in round one, his short game bailed him out. He is the best player in the world for a reason, and Aronimink’s test suits his grind-it-out mentality.

Dark Horse: Martin Kaymer. The 2010 winner is not a fluke. He has been working with a new putting coach and it showed in his opening 67. If he can replicate that putting performance, he could post another 68 and take a solo lead into the weekend. The crowd in Philadelphia loves an underdog story, and Kaymer is writing one.

Player to fade: The Masters Champion. The four-hole collapse to close round one was devastating. He went from one-under to four-over in 20 minutes. That kind of mental scar is hard to erase overnight. Expect another round in the mid-70s, and a missed cut that will dominate headlines.

Player to watch: Xander Schauffele. He has a habit of sneaking into contention at majors. He is only one shot back, and his game is perfectly suited to Aronimink’s demand for creativity around the greens. A 66 in round two would put him in the final group on Saturday.

The Cut Line Battle: Big Names in Danger

The cut line at the PGA Championship is always a tense affair, and this year is no different. With the course playing tough, the projected cut is two-over-par, which means several marquee names are already on the wrong side of it.

Players currently inside the cut line but vulnerable:

• Rory McIlroy (one-over) – Needs a solid round, but his driving accuracy is a concern.
• Jon Rahm (two-over) – The Spaniard is struggling with his wedge game. A 73 in round one was a warning.
• Justin Thomas (two-over) – Two-time PGA champion is grinding, but his putter is cold.

Players likely to miss the cut:

• Bryson DeChambeau (five-over) – Too far back, and his game is a mess. Expect a weekend off.
• The Masters Champion (four-over) – As discussed, the mental hurdle is too high.
• Phil Mickelson (six-over) – The 2021 champion is 56 years old. This course is too long for him now.

Bold prediction: Rory McIlroy will shoot 67 and make the cut comfortably. He is too talented to miss two consecutive major cuts. The key is his driver. If he finds the fairway on the first three holes, the confidence will flood back.

Conclusion: A Second Round That Could Define the Championship

The 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink is shaping up to be a classic. The leaderboard is packed with major champions, the course is punishing but fair, and the weather forecast for Friday is perfect—sunny skies and light winds. That means the scoring could improve, but the course will not surrender birdies easily.

Scottie Scheffler is the man to beat, but Martin Kaymer, Patrick Reed, and Xander Schauffele are all within striking distance. The real drama, however, will come from the chase pack. Can Rory McIlroy rediscover his magic? Will Bryson DeChambeau salvage his weekend? And what of the Masters champion, who must now fight for survival?

One thing is certain: round two at Aronimink will separate the contenders from the pretenders. The cut line will claim its victims, the leaderboard will thin out, and by the time the sun sets on Friday evening, we will have a clear picture of who has the grit to win the PGA Championship. Tune in, because this is golf at its most compelling. The tee times are set, the stage is ready, and the champions are waiting.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.