Originally designed by the legendary Donald Ross in 1928, the course showcases many of his signature architectural traits, including strategic use of the natural terrain, crowned turtleback greens, and elaborate bunkering. The course underwent a comprehensive restoration by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner in 2016-2017 to return it to Ross\u2019s original vision.<\/p>\n
Aronimink is a par-70 layout that stretches approximately 7,394 yards. It features Bentgrass fairways and greens, as well as fescue rough approaching four inches and 176 bunkers.<\/p>\n
It should present a different test than what we have typically seen in recent PGA Championships, where length and power off the tee have provided a sizeable advantage. With only two par 5s, any distance advantage should be muted even further.<\/p>\n
In the past, Aronimink\u2019s routing and strategically placed hazards have forced the world\u2019s best players to rely on course management, mid iron precision, and short game skill around its tricky green complexes. Whether that formula still holds true in an era where the game\u2019s longest hitters seem capable of overpowering any course remains to be seen.<\/p>\n
Aronimink\u2019s greatest strength is its lack of weaknesses. It demands a complete game, testing every aspect in equal measure. Pars are difficult to make here, and birdies are even harder to come by.<\/p>\n
Said Hanse, “I believe Aronimink will be a full examination of a player\u2019s game. You will have to drive the ball well because the rough will be penal. You\u2019re going to have to hit good irons because the greens often feature different sections or quadrants, which will make them challenging to read. You won\u2019t just be able to hit the putting surface, you will have to hit an exact area of the green to be in a position to score.”<\/p>\n
The Field<\/h2>\n
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The PGA Championship has long carried the reputation of having the strongest field in golf. It features the largest field of the four majors with 156 players, includes virtually everyone inside the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking, and has fewer irrelevant exemptions than the other major championships. As is tradition at the PGA Championship, the field will include the top 20 PGA Professionals who qualified through the PGA Professional Championship.<\/p>\n
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>, who won by five shots at Quail Hollow Club a year ago, enters once again as the tournament favorite. Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> sits close behind as he pursues the second leg of a potential calendar Grand Slam. Unlike many recent majors, however, a number of players arrive this week with legitimate momentum and confidence to win.<\/p>\n Cameron Young<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> secured the biggest victory of his career at The Players Championship before adding another win two weeks ago at Trump National Doral, where he defeated Scheffler by six strokes. After capturing the Valspar Championship in March, Matt Fitzpatrick<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> followed it up a month later by defeating Scheffler in a playoff at the RBC Heritage. He then teamed with his brother Alex Fitzpatrick<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> to win the Zurich Classic, giving him three victories over the past eight weeks.<\/p>\n The LIV Golf contingent is equally dangerous with Jon Rahm<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>, Bryson DeChambeau<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>, Joaquin Niemann<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>, and Tyrrell Hatton<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> all firmly in contention. They are joined by a deep group of past major champions that includes Xander Schauffele<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>, Collin Morikawa<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>, Justin Rose<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>, Brooks Koepka<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>, Justin Thomas<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>, and Jordan Spieth<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>, who will be attempting to complete the career Grand Slam.<\/p>\n Twenty-nine players in the PGA field were at Aronimink in 2018 for the BMW Championship, where Keegan Bradley<\/a><\/a> beat Justin Rose<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span> in a playoff. With course history not being a factor this week, using the \u201cComp Course\u201d and \u201cLong\/Par 70\u201d filters in the Rabbit Hole are vital for researching the field this week.<\/p>\n The tournament will utilize the standard PGA Championship cut format. After 36 holes, the field is cut to the top 70 players and ties. Any player inside that number advances to the weekend rounds on Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n When officials at Aronimink Golf Club began discussions with the PGA of America about bringing another PGA Championship to the Philadelphia area during the nation\u2019s 250th anniversary celebration, they understood the course first needed to return to its Donald Ross roots.<\/p>\n That process began in 2016 when renowned architect Gil Hanse and design partner Jim Wagner launched a major restoration project aimed at recapturing Ross\u2019s original vision.<\/p>\nGil Hanse Restoration<\/h2>\n