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Potgieter, Lee Share PGA Lead at 69; Scheffler One Behind

5/15/2026

47 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Potgieter Leads

Aldrich Potgieter, Min Woo Lee and two others tied at 69 to lead the PGA Championship first round on May 14, 2026 at Aronimink Golf Club.
Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele each shot 68, one stroke behind the leaders.
Jon Rahm posted 69 with an eagle on the 11th while Jordan Spieth also recorded 69, briefly tying for the lead.
Rory McIlroy shot 74 after four straight bogeys.

Summary

McIlroy Blames Schedule

Rory McIlroy, golfer, blamed the PGA Championship’s move to May and the two-week gap after the Masters for his struggles.
He asked a spectator on the fourth tee to wait until after his swing before filming.
Windy breezes at Aronimink Golf Club made play harder, with Data Golf showing McIlroy rank 91st in driving accuracy but leading in strokes-gained off the tee, a gap that has widened since the change.

History

Historical Context

Earlier broadcast deals set the stage for the PGA Championship’s schedule change. In October 2018 the PGA of America announced that ESPN would assume early-round coverage beginning in 2020, and in 2020 ESPN+ secured exclusive rights to PGA Tour Live, offering more than 4,000 hours of live golf. These media-rights shifts reshaped the Tour’s calendar and revenue model.

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Potgieter Leads

Aldrich Potgieter, Min Woo Lee and two others tied at 69 to lead the PGA Championship first round on May 14, 2026 at Aronimink Golf Club.
Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele each shot 68, one stroke behind the leaders.
Jon Rahm posted 69 with an eagle on the 11th while Jordan Spieth also recorded 69, briefly tying for the lead.
Rory McIlroy shot 74 after four straight bogeys.

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