The opening round of the PGA Championship 2026 produced a tightly packed leaderboard, with seven players sharing the lead at -3. Alex Smalley, Aldrich Potgieter, Scottie Scheffler, Stephan Jaeger, Min Woo Lee, Ryo Hisatsune, and Martin Kaymer all posted strong starts to set the tone at Valhalla. Their composed play highlighted the depth of talent in the field, with Scheffler and Lee particularly impressive in navigating the demanding setup.

Just one shot back at -2, a large group of contenders including Daniel Brown, Shane Lowry, Sahith Theegala, Max Greyserman, Corey Conners, Xander Schauffele, and Patrick Reed, remain firmly in the mix. With so many world-class names clustered near the top, the championship is already shaping up to be a battle of consistency and nerve.

The first round underscored the unpredictability of major championship golf: a crowded leaderboard, momentum swings, and the promise of drama as the tournament heads into Round 2. With Scheffler, Lowry, and Schauffele among the early contenders, fans can expect fireworks as the chase for the Wanamaker Trophy intensifies.