Scottie Scheffler Among 7 Leading PGA as Aronimink Bares Its Teeth

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — On a day when the leaderboard turned into a logjam and the world’s best players traded blows with a golf course that refused to yield, the first round of the PGA Championship delivered a masterclass in survival. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler shot a gritty 3-under-par 67 to join a seven-way tie for the lead, but the real story wasn’t the names at the top. It was Aronimink Golf Club, a classic William Flynn design that bared its teeth and left superstars shaking their heads.

Scheffler’s round was steady, methodical, and exactly what you’d expect from the game’s best player. But he wasn’t alone. The 27-year-old Texan shares the overnight lead with a diverse cast: South African Aldrich Potgieter, Australian Min Woo Lee, Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune, German Stephan Jaeger, American Alex Smalley, and German veteran Martin Kaymer—16 years removed from his 2008 PGA Championship victory at Oakland Hills. That seven-man tie at 3-under is the most crowded top of a major leaderboard in recent memory.

The Morning Wave Sets the Tone

The morning groups at Aronimink were greeted by firm fairways, lightning-fast bentgrass greens, and a breeze that turned every approach shot into a high-stakes calculation. Potgieter, a 20-year-old who won the 2022 Amateur Championship, set the early pace with a bogey-free 67. Lee followed with a display of power and touch, while Hisatsune and Jaeger grinded out rounds that kept them in the conversation.

But the afternoon wave brought even more drama. Kaymer, now 41 and playing on a special exemption, rolled back the clock with a vintage performance. The two-time major winner—who also won the 2014 U.S. Open—made five birdies and just two bogeys, proving that class is permanent. Smalley, a Wake Forest alum, matched him with a 67 that included a chip-in birdie on the par-4 14th.

“I just tried to keep the ball below the hole,” Smalley said. “These greens are so firm that if you get above the pin, you’re just trying to two-putt for par. It’s that kind of week.”

Aronimink’s Defense: A Course That Refuses to Yield

If you looked only at the scores, you might think 3-under is pedestrian for a major. But the context is everything. Aronimink, hosting its first PGA Championship since 1962, played to a scoring average of 71.2—nearly 1.5 strokes over par. The par-4 11th hole played as the toughest, yielding just 10 birdies all day against 47 bogeys or worse. The par-3 eighth was a nightmare, with a front-left pin that required a precision shot to a shelf no bigger than a coffee table.

Jon Rahm, the 2021 U.S. Open champion, shot a 1-under 69 that included a holed eagle on the par-5 second and a chip-in birdie on the par-3 eighth. But even he was left in awe of the course. “I hit what I thought were good shots and ended up in the rough or in a bunker,” Rahm said. “You have to be perfect. There’s no room for error. It’s a true test of golf, and it’s only going to get harder.”

The statistics back him up. Only one player—Patrick Reed—managed a bogey-free round. Reed’s 68 was a clinic in course management, as he missed just three greens in regulation and never put himself in a position to make a big number. He’s tied with Xander Schauffele, Max Greyserman, Sahith Theegala, Ireland’s Shane Lowry, Canadian Corey Conners, and Englishman Daniel Brown at 2-under.

“I don’t think you’ll see anyone run away with it,” Reed said. “This course is too tough. You have to stay patient, take your pars, and hope the birdies come.”

Lurking Legends and the Contender Logjam

Just one shot behind the lead at 1-under 69 is a murderers’ row of major champions. Brooks Koepka, fresh off his fifth major title at the 2023 PGA, is lurking. Jordan Spieth, chasing the career Grand Slam, made three birdies in his last five holes. Justin Thomas, the 2022 PGA winner, showed flashes of his best. Collin Morikawa, the 2020 PGA champion, is right there. So are Jon Rahm, Jason Day, Cameron Smith, and Australia’s Adam Scott.

That’s 19 players at 1-under or better, and another seven at 2-under. The leaderboard is so bunched that a single hot streak could vault anyone into contention. But the real question is: who can handle Aronimink’s relentless pressure over 72 holes?

• Scottie Scheffler: The betting favorite has the all-around game to dominate, but his putting on these slick greens will be tested. He gained 1.2 strokes on approach Thursday but lost 0.4 on the greens.
• Martin Kaymer: The sentimental story of the week. His ball-striking remains elite, but his short game must hold up. At 41, can he summon one more major week?
• Patrick Reed: The only bogey-free round in the field. He’s a master of grinding out pars on tough tracks. Don’t sleep on him.
• Brooks Koepka: He’s won three of the last seven majors he’s entered. He’s the ultimate big-game hunter. A 69 with two bogeys is a quiet start for him.
• Jon Rahm: The eagle and chip-in were spectacular, but he also made two bogeys on par-5s. That inconsistency won’t fly on the weekend.

Predictions: What to Expect for the Weekend

Based on the course setup and the depth of the leaderboard, I expect the cut line to fall at 3-over or even 4-over. Aronimink’s greens will only get firmer as the week progresses, and the wind is forecast to pick up on Friday afternoon. That means the morning wave will have a distinct advantage in Round 2.

Look for Scottie Scheffler to separate himself from the pack. He’s the most complete player in the field, and he thrives when courses demand precision. But don’t count out Xander Schauffele, who has a history of strong finishes at tough venues. And if Jon Rahm can eliminate the mental errors, he has the power to overpower Aronimink’s long par-4s.

The biggest wild card is Min Woo Lee. The Australian is a showman with a high-risk game. If he gets hot, he could shoot 65. If he finds trouble, he could card a 75. That volatility makes him a fascinating watch.

Strong Conclusion: The Stage Is Set for a Classic

This is shaping up to be one of the most compelling PGA Championships in years. Aronimink, often overshadowed by its more famous Philadelphia neighbors like Merion and Pine Valley, is announcing itself as a major-worthy venue. It demands every club in the bag, every ounce of mental fortitude, and a willingness to accept that par is a great score.

Scottie Scheffler may be the headliner, but the course is the star. And with a leaderboard packed with major winners, rising stars, and a 41-year-old champion chasing nostalgia, the weekend promises to be a battle of attrition. The player who can navigate Aronimink’s teeth—who can make the most pars, limit the bogeys, and pounce on the few birdie opportunities—will walk away with the Wanamaker Trophy.

For now, seven men share the lead. But by Sunday evening, only one will have conquered the beast. And that journey starts with the second round, where Aronimink will bare its teeth once again.

Source: Based on news from Deadspin.

Image: CC licensed via es.wikipedia.org