2026 PGA Championship takeaways, Round 1: Scottie Scheffler makes statement, Jordan Spieth raises hopes

Scheffler's share of the first-round lead is the first of his major career, and that might be all you need to know

Patrick McDonald

May 14, 2026

9:41 pm ET

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11 min read

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NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. -- Scottie Scheffler has unequivocally stood as the best golfer in the world of late, and while there have not been doubts about his stature over the last few months, there have been murmurs about whether the world No. 1 is still playing like the world No. 1.

Only 18 holes have been completed at the 108th PGA Championship, but if the first round was indicative of what's to come over the next three, the other 155 players in this field should be shrieking. Scheffler was sensational Thursday at Aronimink Golf Club as the sun was setting over the Philadelphia suburbs.

Amid a windy, cold day that seemed to only turn the dial up higher as the round progressed, the Texan strolled through the foothills one foot in front of another, unbothered by it all. In the process, he positioned his name ahead of all others as he grabbed a share of the first-round lead with a 3-under 67 that consisted of five birdies, two bogeys and 13 pars.

In his 27th major championship start, Scheffler accomplished a career first by becoming a first-round leader, an honor he shares with an eclectic cast of characters: Min Woo Lee, Aldrich Potgieter, Martin Kaymer, Alex Smalley, Stephan Jaeger and Ryo Hisatsune.

"The best start I've gotten off to this year, maybe besides American Express," Scheffler said. "Especially going into the weekend, when you look at like the Masters and Hilton Head and Cadillac, finishing second was probably not all that bad from where I was starting the weekend. Definitely nice to get off to a better start this week."

In four of the last nine PGA Championships, the champion was positioned outside the top 30 at the conclusion of Round 1. In fact, only three of the last 20 winners were leading (tied or outright) at the end of the first round. Scheffler, himself, was in a tie for 20th in the 2025 PGA Championship, which he ultimately won by five strokes.

The leaders in those championship iterations were not Scheffler. The defending Wanamaker Trophy holder made what was already known better understood on Thursday -- this PGA Championship will go through him.

While Scheffler has taken body punches from the likes of Rory McIlroy, Cameron Young and Matt Fitzpatrick in his last three tournaments, a knockout swing will be required to relieve him of an upper hand he has not possessed this early in a tournament since his first effort of the 2026 season.

Forced to sprint through the weekend to try to recover from a 12-stroke deficit at the Masters and seven-stroke deficits at the RBC Heritage and Cadillac Championship, Scheffler can now do what he does best from the pole position and take the air out of the ball.

There are still miles to go in this tournament with past major winners like Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele and Fitzpatrick firmly in the mix. Even Jordan Spieth is eying the career grand slam from just two shots back of the leaders. A young crop of interesting names could bring spice to this tournament as well.

However, the long slog of a major championship tends to favor the marathoners, and by 25% of the race, the best one is out in front.

So, you're saying there's a chance ...

The one time Spieth had a legitimate opportunity to complete the career grand slam on paper, he had no opportunity at all. Brooks Koepka roared out in front of everyone at Bethpage Black in 2019, while Spieth finished a distant T3, buoyed by one of the more ridiculous putting performances of his career. Even for his standards.

It's only 18 holes, and major championships don't start until the back nine on Sunday, but a player can't have a great week without at least a good Thursday. That's what Spieth had in Round 1 -- he drove it well, stuffed a number of approach shots close and (perhaps most importantly) flexed confidence inside 10 feet with the putter in hand.

Did all of those putts drop? No, but they rarely do. What they did provide, however, was both confidence and calmness. As jittery as they come, Spieth's mind seems to slow down when the putts are dripping over the edge as he walks towards the cup a half-second early. It extends to the rest of his game; his decisions are made quicker, and his golf is much more fluid.

It may only be 18 holes, but Spieth posted a 69 that puts him two off the pace at the major championship he needs for the career grand slam. If you're a fan of golf, you're allowed to be excited about that.

It's probably worth waiting until Saturday to get over your skis about it, but if Spieth is there with a late tee time over the weekend, the Philly faithful may very well change up those E-A-G-L-E-S chants they serenaded him with on Thursday to ones of support.

"It's one of those r