Top five groups for the 2026 PGA Championship

Rory McIlroy (TourProGolfClubs, Wikimedia Commons)

The 2026 PGA Championship begins on Thursday from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Here are the top five groups fans should keep an eye on for the second major of the season at the Aronimink Golf Club.

5) Viktor Hovland/Shane Lowry/Collin Morikawa

This trio contains two major champions and Norway’s finest. Lowry of Ireland won the 2019 British Open, and Morikawa of Los Angeles, California won the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 British Open. Hovland, the world number 27, does not have a major to his name, but did win the 2023 FedEx Cup title.

4) Wyndham Clark/Brian Harman/Cameron Smith

All three of these golfers have won one major championship. Clark of Denver, Colorado, won the 2023 United States Open, Harman of Savannah, Georgia, won the 2023 British Open, and Smith, of Logan City, Queensland, Australia, won the 2022 British Open.

3) Keegan Bradley/Justin Thomas/Cameron Young

These are three Americans with great resumes. Bradley of Woodstock, Vermont, won the 2011 PGA Championship, and Thomas of Louisville, Kentucky, won the PGA Championship in 2017 and 2022. Young is not a major champion, but the consensus by many is he is knocking on the door. Young is the best golfer in the world who has never won a major, and has won twice in Florida in 2026. His wins came at the Players Championship and the Cadillac Championship.

2) Matt Fitzpatrick/Justin Rose/Scottie Scheffler

This group has intrigue because they are all major champions. Fitzpatrick of Sheffield, England won the 2022 United States Open, Rose of London, England won the 2013 United States Open, and Scheffler of Ridgewood, New Jersey won the 2022 and 2024 Masters, the 2025 PGA Championship and 2025 British Open. 

1) Rory McIlroy/Jon Rahm/Jordan Spieth

This group are all multiple major champions and have 11 major championships between them. McIlroy of Holywood, Northern Ireland won the 2011 United States Open, the 2012 and 2014 PGA Championship, the 2014 British Open, and 2025 and 2026 Masters. Rahm of Barrika, Spain won the 2021 United States Open and the 2023 Masters, and Spieth of Dallas, Texas won the 2015 Masters, the 2015 United States Open and 2017 British Open.