👋 {{readername | Hey, golf fans}},

Okay, folks, the star‑studded field at Aronimink delivered the drama. If you missed our quick first-round coverage, catch up here. In today’s edition, we’re looking at the broader picture, the leaderboard, the thrills, the letdowns, and everything in between. Rory and Bryson struggled, while Scottie had already carved his name into the record books. Along the way, we’ll also spotlight Rose’s jaw‑dropping bunker shot, JT’s talent for club-throwing, a surprise platform popping up near the 14th tee, and more.

Let’s get started…

Before we start with today’s edition, let's kick things off with the stories that've been making waves.

Six-time LPGA winner walks out of the Kroger Queen City Championship. She has played only two tournaments this season.

Rory McIlroy’s poor performance got the better of him. The Ulsterman slammed his club on the turf. This comes amid the PGA Championship’s strict new code of conduct policy.

Bryson DeChambeau has been a professional since 2016. But the “staircase” rule confounded him just like every other recreational golfer.

Fine, we’ll bite the bullet. We misjudged Rory McIlroy. He struggled with deep rough. Struggled on the damp greens. He made five straight bogeys between the 6th and the 10th en route to a 4‑over 74 (T105).

When asked how he felt, Rory summed it up in a four-letter word we amateurs use to describe most of our rounds. It’s hilarious, it’s too real, and yes, you WILL like the blunt response.

Little wonder Rory spent hours practicing at the range after the round. Cameron Young (+1/T49) was another letdown. Bryson DeChambeau (+6/T135) didn’t find a birdie until the ninth. Unfortunately, that was also his last one of the day. He carded a 76.

Scottie Scheffler (-3/T1) kept his rep intact, jumping into contention on day one and becoming just the third defending champion to hold at least a share of the 18‑hole lead at the PGA Championship. He found the first 11 fairways (a first for him at a major) and 13 of 14 overall. But he’s not alone at the top: six others are riding shotgun with him.

Aldrich Potgieter, 21, fired a 3‑under 67 to become the youngest to hold a share of the first-round lead since a 19‑year‑old Sergio Garcia did the same in 1999. According to stats guru Justin Ray, Martin Kaymer (-3/T1) shot his lowest major round in more than 2,100 days. He’s also one of two Germans, alongside Stephan Jaeger (-3/T1), in the top five—a first in a major since Bernhard Langer and Alex Cejka at the 2001 Open Championship.

Seven others lurk a shot behind after shooting 68. One of them is Patrick Reed, who became the only player to card a bogey‑free round yesterday. Meanwhile, PGA Professional Michael Block (E) wrapped up the day tied for 34th.

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Amazing, innit? “Anywhere I roam, where I lay my head is home.” We’re not sure if Justin Rose (E/T34) is a Metallica fan, but the anthem sure can be his walk-up song. On the par-3 14th, Rosey holed out from the greenside bunker and pointed to the crowd like an opera conductor. Watch the marvelous shot and listen to the deafening roar—is this Aronimink, or are we at Adare Manor already?

Oh boy! “Happy club throws are my second favorite kind of club throws,” Justin Thomas (-1/T15) quipped just four months back. His first favorite? What he did yesterday on the 14th hole. A shabby tee shot, and JT lost it, tomahawking the club into the turf. The collective gasp from the crowd will tell you how shocked they were.

Respect: Jon Rahm (-1/T15) has two majors, and he is a Ryder Cup hero. But the greatest European golfer? He picked Rory (+4/T105) without a second thought. Listen to what he said about the Ulsterman’s legacy, despite Rory giving him grief over the LIV switch.

Baby’s Day Out: You probably saw Max Homa’s son, Cam, trying to one-up dad in bunker play at Aronimink. If not, do yourself a favor and watch it here. Yesterday, another toddler wrestled with a club far bigger than him, managed a tiny swing, then toppled. Don’t worry, he wasn’t hurt—this will definitely make your morning better.

Stupidity: Quick question. How much money would it take for you to stand this close to a pro hitting a shot? For us? We’d never. On a serious note, nobody was hurt, but one mishit and someone would’ve walked away with a black eye or worse!

Elsewhere, Cam Smith (-1/T15) had an adventurous trip on the 18th, Scottie (-3/T1) drained a long putt, and Bryson (+6/T135)… well, gave us a demonstration of how stubborn the greens of Aronimink are.

As you read above, some fans were standing dangerously close to Alex Fitzpatrick. And this wasn’t the first time. So tell us…

Last Poll Result: 52.57% of you said a two-stroke penalty is justified for being late to the tee.

Human creativity knows no bounds, and that’s why we get great things. Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. Philo Farnsworth built the first all‑electronic television. And following in the footsteps of these giants, a group of golf fans built a huge viewing platform in their own backyard beside Aronimink’s 14th tee. Just look at how massive it is. They weren’t the only ones, however.

In another instance, a Delaware family put up a raised viewing platform they call the "Sky Deck," so guests could watch players tee off toward the first green and sink putts without leaving their yard. And the view is insane—check it out here.

Humor us. Won’t you have done the same if your house were near the course?

If you’re in Pennsylvania and itching for a round to play good golf, check out the ones we’ve listed below.

Have a golf story to share? Or a tip? Or just a picture of your equipment, garage golf setup? Better still, a hot take on a thorny issue? You can comment below or email us directly here.

Thank you for reading this edition of Essentially Golf.

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