Australia’s Min Woo Lee has positioned himself as a primary contender early in the 2026 PGA Championship, firing a three-under par 69 to share the clubhouse lead during the opening round at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania. Lee’s clinical start provides a stark contrast to the struggles of the tournament’s biggest names, who found the undulating greens and “juicy” rough of the historic course far less forgiving.
Lee is joined at the top of the leaderboard by a diverse group of challengers, including South African Aldrich Potgieter, Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune, and Germany’s Stephan Jaeger. While the early pace has been set by these four, the tournament remains wide open with top seeds like Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas still navigating their opening rounds.
The PGA Championship opening round has already delivered the high drama typical of major championships, characterized by a volatile mix of emerging talent and established stars fighting through technical crises. While Lee found his rhythm, others—most notably Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau—suffered through days that can only be described as nightmares.
A Mindset Shift for Min Woo Lee
For the 27-year-old Lee, the three-under 69 is more than just a good score; it is the result of a deliberate tactical pivot. After a disappointing showing at The Masters, the world No. 31 arrived in Pennsylvania coming off a dominant 64 in the final round of the Truist Championship. Lee admitted that he had previously played too conservatively on Thursdays, fearing the risk of “shooting yourself out” of the tournament early.
“I think just a little bit of a mindset change, go out there and be aggressive instead of… Played a little bit conservative,” Lee said. “I’m hitting the ball really good, so why not go at some pins and make some putts?”
That aggression paid off with five birdies on the day, including key strikes on the fifth and seventh holes. Lee’s performance was underpinned by elite ball-striking, ranking in the top six for stroke gained off the tee and around the green. He noted that the course’s heavy rough demanded precision, stating, “you don’t want to attack the greens over in the rough just because you can get some flyers or you can get some lies that sit down.”
Frustrations and Failures for the Favorites
While Lee climbed, world No. 2 Rory McIlroy plummeted. The Northern Irishman closed his round with a two-over par 74, a collapse punctuated by four consecutive bogeys to finish. McIlroy was blunt in his assessment of the day, using a single expletive—”s***”—to describe his performance.
The struggle for McIlroy centered on a recurring battle with his driver. “I’m just not driving the ball well enough,” McIlroy said. “I miss it right, then I want to try to correct it. And then I’ll overdo it, and I’ll miss it left.” This inconsistency left him fighting a losing battle against the course’s layout, leaving him searching for answers heading into the second round.
Bryson DeChambeau fared even worse, carding a 76. The LIV Golf star’s day was defined by a mixture of poor scoring—including five bogeys and a double bogey—and a confusing encounter with a rules official. After missing the second fairway significantly to the right, DeChambeau’s ball landed on steps leading to a grandstand, sparking a protracted debate over relief options.
Visibly rattled, DeChambeau was overheard saying, “I am so confused right now,” as he attempted to navigate the technicalities of the rules. The combination of the high score and the mental fatigue of the rules dispute marked one of the most challenging starts of his major championship career.
The Australian Resurgence and Coaching Changes
Beyond Lee, the Australian contingent showed significant strength. Jason Day and Cameron Smith both posted one-under par 71s, signaling a strong start for the duo. For Smith, the result is a promising sign that a recent, drastic change in his support system is working.
The 2022 Open champion recently parted ways with his long-time mentor, Grant Field, in an attempt to break a streak of six consecutive missed cuts in majors. Smith described the decision as a necessity to get a “different voice” in his head after a period of frustration where hard work was not translating into results.
“It’s not like we’re reinventing the wheel,” Smith said. “It’s just getting some simple thoughts and going out there and playing.” The change appeared to stabilize his game immediately; Smith hit nine of 14 fairways, a statistic that left him surprised and optimistic. “I can’t remember the last time I hit nine fairways,” he said. “I feel like I can swing a little bit freer and actually hit a shot.”
Chaos, Eagles, and Unfortunate Incidents
The opening day also featured moments of brilliance and bizarre misfortune. Jon Rahm, who finished with a 69, showcased his shot-making by holing out from the fairway for an eagle on the second hole. However, his day was marred by a moment of frustration that resulted in a divot striking a volunteer in the shoulder and face. Rahm expressed deep regret over the incident, stating he “couldn’t feel any worse.”
Other notable performances from the first round include:
- Xander Schauffele: Shot a 68, describing his round as a “full experience” of early birdies followed by a mid-round slump.
- Jordan Spieth: Carded a 69, remaining in the hunt for a career Grand Slam.
- Ryo Hisatsune: The 23-year-old Japanese golfer showed immense resilience, making seven birdies, four of which came immediately after bogeys.
- Garrick Higgo: Finished with a 69 but was hampered by a two-stroke penalty for arriving late to the first tee.
The leaderboard remains tight as the field completes its first rotation. The focus now shifts to the second round, where the early leaders must maintain their composure while the struggling superstars attempt to claw their way back into contention.
Official scoring and updated pairings for the second round will be available via the PGA Tour leaderboard.
Do you think Min Woo Lee’s aggressive approach will hold up over four rounds, or will the favorites recover? Let us know in the comments or share this story on social media.
