The stage is set for an unforgettable week at Aronimink Golf Club, as the 2026 PGA Championship gets underway with practice rounds and the anticipation of another thrilling major. With the Wanamaker Trophy on the line, the question on every golf fan's mind is simple: who will rise to the occasion on Sunday evening?

This year's field is nothing short of extraordinary, featuring 156 of the best players from the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the PGA of America. As the second major championship of the season, the action promises to be a rollercoaster ride from Thursday's first tee shot to the final putt. The depth of talent ensures that every round will be packed with twists and turns.

Reigning champion Scottie Scheffler enters the tournament in fine form, though perhaps not with the same dominant stranglehold on leaderboards as in years past. While his statistics remain elite, he's been finishing in second place rather than the winner's circle—a subtle shift that has the golf world buzzing. Can he flip the script and defend his title?

Rory McIlroy arrives fresh off a second consecutive green jacket at the Masters, playing some of the best golf of his career. However, his driving accuracy has been a nagging concern. If the four-time major champion can find the fairways with consistency, he has the firepower to breeze through the field and capture his third major in just two seasons—a feat that would cement his legacy even further.

Notably, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson will both be absent from the PGA Championship for the first time since Woods turned professional, each facing starkly different personal circumstances. Their absence leaves a void, but the field is packed with stars eager to seize the spotlight. Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm are itching to prove their success extends beyond LIV Golf, while Cameron Young and Matt Fitzpatrick aim to continue their scorching starts to the 2026 season.

So, what will unfold outside Philadelphia this week? Our experts have weighed in with their predictions, and one name stands out: Ludvig Åberg. At 20-1 odds, the Swedish sensation's season has drawn comparisons to Xander Schauffele's breakout 2024 campaign. Åberg is playing sensational golf, but the narrative has been overshadowed by a few near-misses in closing rounds. With his prodigious talent and unwavering composure, this could be the week he silences the doubters and hoists the Wanamaker Trophy.