When Rory McIlroy arrived at Augusta to defend his Masters title in April I was utterly convinced that he was undercooked. I also believed that world number one Scottie Scheffler did not look like he had prepared properly. It shows how much I know – they finished first and second.
McIlroy has been criticised for missing the RBC Heritage and Cadillac Championship, both Signature events, ahead of the US PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Last year he admitted that he struggled for motivation after finally completing the Career Grand Slam. I am convinced there will be no hangover from his successful Masters defence this time and I expect the Northern Irishman to be in the mix from the start.
You never quite know what you are going to get with McIlroy – and that is surely part of his huge appeal.
Scheffler has had a strange season thus far but there is no getting away from the fact that he keeps working his way into contention without his A-game. Remember that he only missed out at Augusta by a single shot. He is the defending champion this week and he will not want to give the trophy back.
There will be many who will be betting the house on Matt Fitzpatrick, who is enjoying a purple patch that must be beyond even his wildest dreams.
On the eve of the 2025 US PGA Championship his world ranking stood at 85. Today he finds himself fourth in the rankings, behind only Scheffler, McIlroy and Cameron Young. It has been a remarkable transformation.
And it all began at the US PGA, where he finished in a tie for eighth. He also made the cut at The Memorial and the US Open and tied eighth at the Rocket Mortgage.
He then headed back to Europe. First of all he was tied fourth in a world-class field at the Scottish Open and then he repeated the feat the following week at The Open. He was tied sixth at the British Masters, fifth at the European Masters and tied fifth at the BMW PGA Championship. He got the nod for the Ryder Cup and was one of Europe’s stars. Then came another victory at the DP World Tour Championship.
He should have won the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass earlier this year but a bogey at the final hole cost him his chance. It simply made him more determined. He won the Valspar Championship and followed it up by winning the RBC Heritage for a second time, going head to head with Scheffler before beating him in a playoff after looking like he had thrown it away.
And then came the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. He and brother Alex took control after a remarkable betterball third round of 57 and then finished the job off at the final hole to win by a single stroke. It was fantasy golf. Alex, who had recently enjoyed his maiden victory on the DP World Tour, picked up a cheque for $1.2m and membership of the PGA Tour until the end of 2028.
So can Matt add to his US Open victory? Of course he can. And he is a great value punt. Betfred has him at 22/1.
I also have a feeling that Xander Schauffele is going to be in the mix come Sunday afternoon. He won this tournament two years ago after coming out on top in a thrilling head to head duel with Bryson DeChambeau and two months later he would add the Claret Jug. He had finally shaken off the tag of being the best player never to have won a major. Last year was a disappointment as he battled injury and indifferent form but there have been plenty of encouraging signs in 2026.
He missed the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open but was tied seventh at the Genesis, third at The Players, tied fourth at the Valspar, tied ninth at The Masters and tied 12th at the RBC Heritage.
Speaking of the best player not have won a major, Tommy Fleetwood will once again be looking to shake off that unwanted tag at Aronimink.
Last year was one that he will never forget. He made 19 starts on the PGA Tour, missing just one cut – at the US Open. He was establishing a reputation as a golfer who couldn’t close the deal on American soil and it happened twice more in 2025. He should have won the Travelers Championship but played the final hole like an 18-handicapper and had to settle for yet another runner-up finish. What made it worse was that the man who beat him was Keegan Bradley, the US Ryder Cup captain.
It was starting to look like one of the most popular golfers on the planet would never break his duck. And then came the FedEx St Jude, which he should also have won and ended up finishing third. The following week he was tied fourth at the BMW Championship and then, finally, came the breakthrough in the most glorious of circumstances when he emerged triumphant at the Tour Championship and picked up the FedEx Cup and a bucketful of dollars.
He has made a quiet but consistent start to 2026 and is surely too good to end his career without a major. The Open is being played at Royal Birkdale, a course he knows like the back of his hand, but don’t be surprised to see Fleetwood in the shake-up this week.
Cameron Young is another golfer who has taken his game to the next level and should be a serious contender. A magnificent ball striker, it took him time to work out how to win. His maiden victory came at the Wyndham Championship in 2025 and he added the Players Championship this season, bating Fitzpatrick in the process. He also finished tied third at both the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Masters – before winning the Cadillac at Doral.
There will be plenty who will fancy the chances of Justin Rose but I can’t help questioning his extraordinary decision to start using McLaren golf clubs. Some years ago he signed a deal with Honma and his game went south in a hurry. I hope he doesn’t live to regret this latest switch.
Tournament Winners:
It was won in 2015 by Jason Day, in 2016 by Jimmy Walker, in 2017 and 2022 by Justin Thomas, in 2018, 2019 and 2023 by Brooks Koepka, in 2020 by Collin Morikawa, in 2021 by Phil Mickelson, in 2024 by Xander Schauffele and last year by Scottie Scheffler.
Course:
Aronimink Golf Club was designed by Donald Ross, who described it as his masterpiece. It is a par 70 and can be stretched to 7,600 yards. It features 75 bunkers and numerous slopes, valleys and doglegs and will test players’ patience to the limit. Tyrrell Hatton, you have been warned!
Form Guide:
Matthew Fitzpatrick is having the time of his life. He can’t stop winning and is starting to look as if he is finally enjoying his golf.
Prize Money:
Total prize money is around $20m, with the winner receiving $3.4m and 750 FedEx Cup points, with 5,000 Ryder Cup points and 10,000 Race to Dubai points on offer if a member of the DP World Tour should win.
How to Watch:
Thursday, May 15, Friday, May 16, Sky Sports Golf, midday; Saturday, May 17, Sunday, May 18, Sky Sports Golf, 1pm.
To Win:
Rory McIlroy (8/1). Finally free and unburdened
Each Way:
Scottie Scheffler (5/1). Write him off at your peril
Each Way:
Matt Fitzpatrick (22/1). Living the dream
Five to Follow:
Rory Mcilroy. Will be there or thereabouts
Scottie Scheffler. The man to beat
Matt Fitzpatrick. Ready for a second major title
Ludvig Aberg (25/1). Wonderful temperament
Tommy Fleetwood (20/1). Major specialist
Five Outsiders to Watch:
Brian Campbell (750/1). Short – but straight
Marco Penge (90/1). Enjoying life in the USA
Max Homa (125/1). Getting back to something like his best
David Puig (125/1). Huge potential
Alex Noren (125/1). Gutsy competitor
Odds supplied by Betfred.
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Derek Clements is a seasoned sports journalist and regular Golfshake contributor, specialising in tour coverage, opinion pieces, and feature writing. With a long career in national newspapers and golf media, he has reported on the game across Europe, the United States and Australia. A passionate golfer, he has played and reviewed numerous renowned courses, with personal favourites including Pebble Beach, Kingsbarns, Aldeburgh, Old Thorns and the K Club. His love of the game informs his thoughtful commentary on both professional golf and the wider golfing community.
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