PGA Championship 2024: R1 Groupings and Full Tee Times at Aronimink

The 108th PGA Championship is set to ignite the golfing world this week, and the opening round at the iconic Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, promises a spectacle of precision and power. As the season’s second major championship arrives, the field of 156 players is ready to tackle a historic layout that has been meticulously restored to its classic William Flynn design. With the R1 groupings and full tee times now released, we have the first look at the compelling matchups that will shape the narrative of Thursday’s action.

Aronimink, a par-70 track stretching over 7,400 yards, demands a blend of strategic iron play and nerves of steel. The rough is penal, the greens are undulating, and the pressure is immense. This is not a course for the faint-hearted. In this article, we break down the most intriguing groups, analyze the early starters, and offer expert predictions on who might seize the early lead.

Marquee Groups: The Stars Align in R1

The PGA of America has assembled a handful of blockbuster trios for the opening round, designed to showcase the sport’s elite talent. These marquee groups will draw the largest galleries and the most intense media scrutiny. Here are the three must-watch pairings.

Group 1: The Heavyweights
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, two-time major champion Jon Rahm, and the electric Ludvig Åberg form what is arguably the strongest group on paper. Scheffler enters with a victory at the Masters and a steady run of top-five finishes. Rahm, despite a quieter season by his standards, thrives on tough courses like Aronimink. Åberg, the Swedish phenom, brings raw power and a fearless attitude. This group tees off at 1:20 PM ET from the 10th tee.

• Why watch: Expect birdies and bogeys in equal measure. Scheffler’s short game vs. Rahm’s ball-striking vs. Åberg’s length—this is a clash of styles.
• Prediction: Rahm finds his groove early, shooting 67. Scheffler grinds out a 68.

Group 2: The Defending Champion and the Rivals
Defending champion Brooks Koepka is joined by Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa. Koepka, a five-time major winner, knows how to peak for this event. McIlroy, seeking his first major since 2014, has the game to dominate Aronimink’s long par-4s. Morikawa, a two-time major champion, relies on precision and a cold-blooded putting stroke. They start at 8:40 AM ET off the 1st tee.

• Why watch: The contrast in energy. Koepka’s stoicism, McIlroy’s passion, and Morikawa’s surgical approach create a fascinating dynamic.
• Prediction: McIlroy posts a 66, using his driver to overpower the course. Koepka card a 69, staying within striking distance.

Group 3: The Young Guns
Breakout star Wyndham Clark, 2023 U.S. Open champion, pairs with Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood. Clark’s confidence is sky-high, Hovland’s iron play is world-class, and Fleetwood’s links-style creativity could be a weapon on Aronimink’s firm fairways. Tee time: 12:50 PM ET from the 1st tee.

• Why watch: This group could produce the lowest score of the day. All three are in top form.
• Prediction: Fleetwood, a fan favorite, shoots 65 and claims the early clubhouse lead.

Full Tee Times and Groupings for Thursday

Below is the complete list of tee times for the first round. All times are Eastern Time. The field is split between the 1st and 10th tees, with the morning wave starting at 7:00 AM ET and the afternoon wave concluding around 2:30 PM ET. Weather forecasts call for partly cloudy skies and a gentle breeze, ideal for scoring.

Morning Wave (1st Tee)

• 7:00 AM: Michael Block, Thorbjørn Olesen, Ryo Hisatsune
• 7:10 AM: Ryan Fox, Adam Hadwin, Justin Suh
• 7:20 AM: Sahith Theegala, J.T. Poston, Cameron Young
• 7:30 AM: Tom Kim, Sepp Straka, Matt Fitzpatrick
• 7:40 AM: Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa
• 7:50 AM: Tony Finau, Keegan Bradley, Justin Thomas
• 8:00 AM: Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Spieth, Shane Lowry
• 8:10 AM: Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson
• 8:20 AM: Brooks Koepka, Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa
• 8:30 AM: Viktor Hovland, Wyndham Clark, Tommy Fleetwood

Morning Wave (10th Tee)

• 7:00 AM: Lucas Herbert, Taylor Pendrith, Ben Griffin
• 7:10 AM: Lee Hodges, Alex Noren, Davis Riley
• 7:20 AM: Chris Kirk, Andrew Putnam, Harris English
• 7:30 AM: Erik van Rooyen, Tom Hoge, Emiliano Grillo
• 7:40 AM: Adam Scott, Patrick Reed, Louis Oosthuizen
• 7:50 AM: Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood
• 8:00 AM: Joaquin Niemann, Mito Pereira, David Puig
• 8:10 AM: Jason Day, Rickie Fowler, Sam Burns
• 8:20 AM: Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, Matt Jones
• 8:30 AM: Will Zalatoris, Brian Harman, Corey Conners

Afternoon Wave (1st Tee)

• 12:30 PM: Denny McCarthy, Thomas Detry, Nicolai Højgaard
• 12:40 PM: Brendon Todd, Lucas Glover, Stewart Cink
• 12:50 PM: Russell Henley, Mackenzie Hughes, Adam Svensson
• 1:00 PM: Joel Dahmen, Brandon Matthews, Dylan Frittelli
• 1:10 PM: Si Woo Kim, K.H. Lee, Byeong Hun An
• 1:20 PM: Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Ludvig Åberg
• 1:30 PM: Tyrrell Hatton, Talor Gooch, Bubba Watson
• 1:40 PM: Gary Woodland, Luke List, Matt Kuchar
• 1:50 PM: Kevin Kisner, Webb Simpson, Charl Schwartzel
• 2:00 PM: Keith Mitchell, J.J. Spaun, Cameron Champ

Afternoon Wave (10th Tee)

• 12:30 PM: Zach Johnson, Padraig Harrington, John Daly
• 12:40 PM: Francesco Molinari, Robert MacIntyre, Adrian Meronk
• 12:50 PM: Min Woo Lee, Nicolai Højgaard, Alex Fitzpatrick
• 1:00 PM: Kurt Kitayama, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Ryan Armour
• 1:10 PM: Austin Eckroat, Sam Ryder, Callum Tarren
• 1:20 PM: Ben Taylor, David Lipsky, Jimmy Walker
• 1:30 PM: Mark Hubbard, Chez Reavie, Troy Merritt
• 1:40 PM: Danny Willett, Dean Burmester, Oliver Bekker
• 1:50 PM: Anirban Lahiri, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Jazz Janewattananond
• 2:00 PM: Y.E. Yang, Shaun Micheel, Rich Beem

Expert Analysis: Course Setup and Key Challenges

Aronimink Golf Club is a stern test that rewards accuracy off the tee and creative short game. The course, which last hosted a major in 1962 (the PGA Championship won by Gary Player), has undergone a restoration that brought back its original bunkering and widened fairways. However, the rough is thick and lush, making club selection critical. The par-3s, particularly the 246-yard 8th and the 215-yard 17th, will be pivotal. Players who miss greens here face a tough up-and-down.

Key statistical factors for R1:

• Strokes Gained: Approach – Precision from 150-200 yards is non-negotiable. Expect players like Collin Morikawa and Viktor Hovland to shine.
• Bogey Avoidance – Aronimink’s par-70 means fewer birdie opportunities. Limiting mistakes is more important than going low.
• Putting on Poa Annua Greens – The greens are a mix of Poa Annua and Bentgrass, which can get bumpy. Composed putters like Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood have an edge.

One dark horse to watch is Tom Kim. The young South Korean has the creativity and short game to navigate Aronimink’s trickier pin positions. He tees off at 7:30 AM with Sepp Straka and Matt Fitzpatrick. Another sleeper is Adam Scott, who has rediscovered his putting stroke. The 2013 Masters champion starts at 7:40 AM from the 10th tee.

Predictions for the Opening Round Lead

The leaderboard after Round 1 is often a mix of established stars and surprise contenders. Based on course fit and current form, here are three predictions for who will be atop the leaderboard Thursday evening.

1. Tommy Fleetwood (65)
The Englishman has a knack for fast starts and loves tough setups. His ball-striking is pristine, and he’s due for a major breakthrough. Look for him to card a bogey-free 65, capitalizing on the par-5s.

2. Jon Rahm (67)
Rahm’s power is a weapon on the long par-4s. He’s been working on his putting, and a calm Thursday morning could see him post a 67 despite the stacked group.

3. Xander Schauffele (66)
The “major specialist” without a major win, Schauffele always lurks. He’s in the morning wave with Patrick Cantlay and Max Homa, a group that could feed off each other. Expect a 66 from the UCLA product.

Don’t count out Rory McIlroy. If he gets the driver going, he could shoot 64, but the mental aspect of major championship golf remains his biggest hurdle. A 66 is more realistic.

Strong Conclusion: The Stage Is Set

The 108th PGA Championship at Aronimink is more than just a tournament; it’s a test of resilience and artistry. The R1 groupings have created instant drama, from the heavyweight showdown of Scheffler-Rahm-Åberg to the redemption stories of Koepka and McIlroy. With a course that demands every club in the bag and a field that includes past champions and rising stars, Thursday’s action will set the tone for a thrilling week.

As the sun sets over Newtown Square, one thing is certain: Aronimink will separate the contenders from the pretenders. Whether it’s a veteran like Adam Scott or a young gun like Ludvig Åberg, the player who masters the nuances of this classic layout will take a significant step toward hoisting the Wanamaker Trophy. Tune in early, because the first tee shots at 7:00 AM ET could foreshadow history in the making.

Follow live updates, leaderboards, and analysis throughout the day as the drama unfolds at the PGA Championship.

Source: Based on news from Sky Sports.

Image: CC licensed via ky.ng.mil