Full Breakdown
Aronimink’s “Absurd” Pin Placement Fuels Bunched Leaderboard at 2026 PGA Championship
5/18/2026, 2:12:47 AM
Unprecedented Pin Placement and a Bunched Leaderboard
The 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, has been defined by unusually demanding pin locations. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler called them “the hardest set of pin locations I’ve seen since I’ve been on Tour.” After round 2, ten players were within three strokes of the lead and thirty within five. The third round left twenty-two inside two shots and forty-three inside six, a record-tight field. The opening round produced a seven-way tie at 3-under 67, the largest since 1969.
Course Setup and Weather Conditions
Aronimink’s sloping greens, narrow fairways and over-hundred bunkers were compounded by gusts up to 20 mph and low-50s °F temperatures. Pin placements on holes 8, 10, 12 and especially 14—where the flag sat on a pronounced spine—were called “absurd.” The wind reduced ball flight, turning short-iron shots into precision challenges.
Official Statements & Responses
Scheffler said the pins forced players to aim for the “fat part” of the green and that the PGA could set the winning score through pin placement, though he stopped short of calling the set-up unfair. Chris Gotterup called Friday’s pins “aggressive” and said they heightened the week’s extreme difficulty. Xander Schauffele called the leaderboard “an absolute free-for-all.” Jon Rahm noted the course was “very difficult” and questioned expectations of lower scores.
Criticism & Opposition
Rory McIlroy labeled the set-up “not great,” saying the bunched leaderboard reflected a sub-optimal test. Justin Thomas and Keegan Bradley complained that early-round clock-ins and the pin locations slowed play, producing rounds over five hours. Some players argued the pins, not field size, were the main cause of the pace-of-play slowdown.
Data & Statistics
- Opening round: seven-way tie at 3-under 67.
- After round 2: 10 players <= 3 shots, 30 <= 5 shots.
- After round 3: 22 <= 2 shots, 43 <= 6 shots.
- Lowest round: Chris Gotterup’s 5-under 65.
- Leader after round 3: Alex Smalley at 4-under.
- Scheffler’s round 2: 1-over 71 with six missed putts inside 10 feet.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Scheffler said the pins were “hard” but not “unfair,” while Gotterup and others called them “aggressive” and “absurd,” raising fairness questions. No PGA of America official comment appears in the record. Reuters noted that field size and tee-time logistics also contributed to the pace-of-play slowdown.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is the hardest set of pin locations that I've seen since I've been on Tour, and that includes U.S. Opens, that includes Oakmont,” — Scottie Scheffler, world No. 1.
- “I think this week is definitely an extreme in that department, more so with the wind,” — Chris Gotterup, PGA Tour player.
- “an absolute free-for-all.” — Xander Schauffele, two-time major champion.
- “It was blowing really hard, and it was cold this morning. The course played very, very difficult. It was a good start. I'm going to need to improve on it, I think, each day.” — Rory McIlroy, former world No. 1.
- “-- Justin Thomas, Keegan Bradley and Cameron Young were put on the clock early in their second round at the PGA Championship, and they didn't understand why they were singled out.” — Justin Thomas, PGA Tour veteran.
