The PGA Championship 2026 is upon us, and the question on everyone's mind is: will the American dominance continue at Aronimink Golf Club? For the past decade, the Wanamaker Trophy has been a trophy for the home team, with each of the last 10 winners coming from the United States. But this year, a few factors suggest that the tide might turn. Personally, I think that the pre-tournament favorite, Scottie Scheffler, might just be the one to continue the American streak. What makes this particularly fascinating is the fact that Scheffler has been in exceptional form, with a cumulative score to par in majors since 2022 that is 30 shots better than anyone else. If he can maintain this form, he might just be able to complete the career Grand Slam at the US Open next month. However, I think that the real story here is the emergence of European contenders. In my opinion, the likes of Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Tommy Fleetwood are all capable of challenging for the title. From my perspective, McIlroy, in particular, stands out. One thing that immediately stands out is the fact that he has won the PGA Championship twice before and has a deep understanding of the course. What many people don't realize is that Aronimink is a course that favors the dynamic player, and McIlroy fits the bill perfectly. If you take a step back and think about it, the fact that the course is wide and open suggests that it will suit the European style of play. This raises a deeper question: will the PGA Championship finally see a European winner? A detail that I find especially interesting is the fact that the last international winner of this major was Jason Day in 2015. This suggests that there is a real opportunity for a European player to break through and win the title. In conclusion, while I think that Scottie Scheffler is the favorite, I can't help but feel that the real story of this year's PGA Championship is the emergence of European contenders. Personally, I'm excited to see how the tournament unfolds and whether or not we will finally see a European winner at Aronimink Golf Club.
