‘Sign of a not-great setup,’ Rory McIlroy blasts PGA Championships course for bunched leaderboard

Rory McIlroy delivered a bogey-free 67 on Friday to claw his way back into the mix at the 2026 PGA Championship, sitting just five shots off the lead despite a frustrating opening round at Aronimink Golf Club. The Northern Irishman, fresh off his Master’s win last month, looked far more like himself after a range session fixed his driving issues. A packed leaderboard means plenty of big names remain in striking distance heading into the weekend, but McIlroy didn’t hold back when explaining why no one has pulled away yet.

According to reports, McIlroy was blunt about the PGA of America’s approach in the first two rounds. He called the setup one that bunches the field rather than letting talent separate, with tough pin placements on sloping greens making birdies a grind in the wind.

“I think a bunched leaderboard like this, I think it’s a sign of a not-great setup… it hasn’t really enabled anyone to separate themselves. It’s easy to make a ton of pars…it feels like bogey’s the worst score you’re going to shoot on any one hole,” McIlroy said.

At five-under for the day and one-over for the tournament, McIlroy shared the sentiment with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who labeled some pins “absurd” and among the hardest he’s seen in his career. The criticism centers on how the course was protected early, using the toughest hole locations right away.

1. What Happened in Round Two and Why It Matters

2. Background on McIlroy’s Season and Major Quest

Coming into this PGA, McIlroy carried momentum from Augusta National. That green jacket victory ended a long drought in majors for him personally, and he’s been vocal about wanting to peak at the right times. His pre-tournament “bomb and gouge” assessment of Aronimink already set a tone of honesty that continued through the week. At 37, McIlroy remains one of the most talented players in the game, but majors test more than just skill. Friday showed he can still grind out a clean card when things aren’t perfect. His improved driving after the range work was the biggest key, turning a potential missed cut into a legitimate contention spot. Scheffler sits closer, just two back, and other big names lurk. The bunched field means one hot round from anyone could flip the script. McIlroy’s experience in these situations gives him an edge in knowing when to push and when to wait for the course to ease up. Players like Patrick Reed acknowledged the difficulty but preferred a hard test over a birdie fest. Still, the frustration from top guys like McIlroy and Scheffler about pin placements has been a talking point. Scheffler even asked veteran caddies if they’d seen anything comparable, referencing Shinnecock Hills.

3. Emotional Side of Competing at This Level

You can hear the mix of relief and lingering annoyance in McIlroy’s voice. Majors bring pressure that leaks out in press conferences, such as the “s***” comment after round one, and the continued digs at the setup. But that’s also what makes him relatable. Golf fans see a superstar who’s still human, still battling to figure out the puzzle each day. His drive to learn the course mid-tournament shows maturity. Instead of forcing aggressive plays like Thursday, he dialed it back, which paid off with no bogeys. That shift could be crucial as the pressure ramps up on moving day. McIlroy tees off in a star-studded group with Brooks Koepka on Saturday afternoon. He’ll need another solid round to keep the momentum and position himself for a Sunday charge. With the course potentially opening up, the window is there for someone to make a move. The entire field knows one or two mistakes could be costly, but the bunched leaderboard also means opportunity. For McIlroy, it’s about channeling that recent major winner confidence while staying patient on a course that’s tested, everyone. The 2026 PGA Championship is wide open heading into the third round. McIlroy is right there, ready to pounce if the conditions allow. Fans will be watching to see if the Masters champion can make it two in a row in what has already been a memorable major season.

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