A lot of golf fans are hoping for a classic battle between the two top golfers in the world this weekend in the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club outside of Philadelphia.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler upheld his end of the deal on Thursday as the first round got underway in the second major of the 2026 season. Two-time defending Masters champion Rory McIlroy did not.
In the first major since 2015 to not include a Utah resident in the 156-player field, Scheffler shot a 3-under 67 in cold, blustery conditions to grab the first-round lead with six other mostly unknown golfers.
Also shooting 67 on Thursday were Aldrich Potgieter, Stephan Jaeger, Min Woo Lee, Rio Hisatsune, Martin Kaymer and Alex Smalley — the only American at the top of the leaderboard besides Scheffler.
At a shot back are Englishman Daniel Brown, Canadian Corey Conners, Irishman Shane Lowry and Americans Patrick Reed, Sahith Theegala and Max Greyserman.
McIlroy struggled with his driving accuracy all day and came in at 4-over 74. He has work to do in the second round just to make the cut, which is projected to be around 2-over.
Other big names who struggled Thursday: Dustin Johnson (+2), Ludvig Aberg (+2), Viktor Hovland (+4), Keegan Bradley (+4) and Max Homa (+5), who got in just barely as one of the first alternates.
Utah’s Tony Finau had moved up to the third alternate but did not make it into the field and is missing his second straight major after playing in 33 consecutive majors prior to missing the Masters last month.
Perhaps Thursday’s most disappointing round was turned in by Bryson DeChambeau, who carded a 6-over 76.
In an interview with the Deseret News on Tuesday, golf talk radio host Brian Taylor predicted a duel to the wire by Scheffler and McIlroy after Scheffler finished second to the Irishman at the 2026 Masters a month ago.
“Scottie has finished runner up in three consecutive events, and Rory is feeling great after picking up his second Masters,” Taylor said.
“Cam Young is also on a heater, and he could wreck the party. I know picking (Scheffler and McIlroy) sounds boring, like picking Tiger (Woods) back in the 2000s, but it feels like that is where it is headed this week.”
Before Thursday, Scheffler — a four-time major champion — had never had a lead or even a share of the lead after the first round of a major.
“I think the emphasis would be ‘share of the lead,’” Scheffler said. “I think there’s like six or seven guys up there. I mean, it’s a really tight leaderboard. At this moment, it’s anybody’s tournament.
“It’s nice to get off to a good start. I will get some rest tonight and wake up and do more of the same tomorrow.”