Quick Answer:

Final field confirmed: Monday, May 12, 2026 — one week before first round. Scroll down for complete 6-tier rankings (26 golfers per tier). Updated weekly through May 12.

⚠️ Key difference from Masters: PGA Championship has 156 players vs Masters' 90. Larger field = more tiers or bigger tiers. We recommend 6 tiers of 26 golfers each.

📋 PGA Championship Pool Tiers 2026 (Aronimink)

6-Tier Format (26 golfers per tier)

✅ Balanced for 156-player field • ✅ Based on March 2026 world rankings + form • ✅ Updated May 12 for final field

Aronimink note: Donald Ross (1928) par-70 layout at 7,237 yards. Rolling, tree-lined fairways with 75 bunkers. Precision driving rewarded. Past PGA winner: Gary Player (1962).

Tier 1: Elite Favorites (Top 26)

1. Scottie Scheffler (USA) - #1 World Ranking, Defending 2025 PGA Champion, major favorite
2. Rory McIlroy (NIR) - #2 World Ranking, 2012 & 2014 PGA Champion
3. Jon Rahm (ESP) - #3 World Ranking, 2023 Masters Champion, Major specialist
4. Viktor Hovland (NOR) - #4 World Ranking, FedExCup Champion, strong form
5. Xander Schauffele (USA) - #5 World Ranking, 2024 PGA & Open Champion
6. Collin Morikawa (USA) - #6 World Ranking, 2020 PGA Champion, elite iron player
7. Patrick Cantlay (USA) - #7 World Ranking, Consistent major contender
8. Ludvig Åberg (SWE) - #8 World Ranking, Breakout 2024 star, long hitter
9. Brooks Koepka (USA) - #9 World Ranking, 2018 & 2019 PGA Champion
10. Bryson DeChambeau (USA) - #10 World Ranking, 2024 U.S. Open Champion
11. Cameron Smith (AUS) - #11 World Ranking, 2022 Open Champion
12. Matt Fitzpatrick (ENG) - #12 World Ranking, 2022 U.S. Open Champion
13. Max Homa (USA) - #13 World Ranking, Hot 2025-26 form
14. Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) - #14 World Ranking, Major near-misses
15. Hideki Matsuyama (JPN) - #15 World Ranking, 2021 Masters Champion
16. Wyndham Clark (USA) - #16 World Ranking, 2023 U.S. Open Champion
17. Cameron Young (USA) - Rising star, multiple runner-ups
18. Tony Finau (USA) - Powerful ball-striker, precision game fits Aronimink
19. Justin Thomas (USA) - 2017 & 2022 PGA Champion
20. Jordan Spieth (USA) - 3-Time major champion, seeking career grand slam
21. Min Woo Lee (AUS) - Breakthrough 2025 talent
22. Tom Kim (KOR) - Young gun, major potential
23. Sahith Theegala (USA) - Consistent top-20 finisher
24. Russell Henley (USA) - Steady veteran
25. Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) - Fiery competitor, links specialist
26. Shane Lowry (IRL) - 2019 Open Champion

Tier 2: Strong Contenders (27-52)

27. Will Zalatoris (USA) - Major contender when healthy
28. Jason Day (AUS) - 2015 PGA Champion, former #1
29. Sungjae Im (KOR) - Consistent ball-striker
30. Sam Burns (USA) - Multiple PGA Tour wins
31. Corey Conners (CAN) - Precision iron player
32. Sepp Straka (AUT) - 2023 breakthrough
33. Taylor Moore (USA) - Emerging 2026 star
34. Adam Scott (AUS) - Former #1, smooth swing
35. Si Woo Kim (KOR) - 2017 Players Champion
36. Justin Rose (ENG) - 2013 U.S. Open Champion
37. Keegan Bradley (USA) - 2011 PGA Champion
38. Billy Horschel (USA) - Memorial winner, consistent
39. Dustin Johnson (USA) - 2016 U.S. Open, 2020 Masters Champion
40. Patrick Reed (USA) - 2018 Masters Champion
41. Rickie Fowler (USA) - Fan favorite, hot 2025 form
42. Akshay Bhatia (USA) - Young phenom
43. Chris Kirk (USA) - Comeback story
44. Denny McCarthy (USA) - Hot putter
45. Brian Harman (USA) - 2023 Open Champion
46. Seamus Power (IRL) - Consistent performer
47. Thomas Detry (BEL) - European Tour star
48. Erik van Rooyen (RSA) - Ball-striking wizard
49. Taylor Pendrith (CAN) - Long-drive threat, strong ball-striker
50. Matt Kuchar (USA) - Major veteran
51. Nicolai Højgaard (DEN) - Rising European talent
52. Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) - Canadian hope

Tier 3: Dark Horses (53-78)

26 golfers ranked 53-78. Mix of tour winners, veterans, and rising stars. Good value picks with upside.

53. Lucas Glover (USA)
54. Davis Thompson (USA)
55. Byeong Hun An (KOR)
56. Nick Taylor (CAN)
57. Victor Perez (FRA)
58. Kurt Kitayama (USA)
59. Adam Hadwin (CAN)
60. J.T. Poston (USA)
61. Stephan Jaeger (GER)
62. Austin Eckroat (USA)
63. Harris English (USA)
64. Ryan Fox (NZL)
65. Gary Woodland (USA) - 2019 U.S. Open
66. Matt Wallace (ENG)
67. Adrian Meronk (POL)
68. Dean Burmester (RSA)
69. Thriston Lawrence (RSA)
70. Ryo Hisatsune (JPN)
71. Christiaan Bezuidenhout (RSA)
72. Andrew Putnam (USA)
73. Emiliano Grillo (ARG)
74. Keith Mitchell (USA)
75. Alex Noren (SWE)
76. Cameron Davis (AUS)
77. Aaron Rai (ENG)
78. Rasmus Højgaard (DEN)

Tier 4: Sleepers (79-104)

26 golfers ranked 79-104. Tour pros, international stars, and hot hands. Can sneak into top-20 at Aronimink.

79. Matthieu Pavon (FRA)
80. Ben Griffin (USA)
81. Eric Cole (USA)
82. Jake Knapp (USA)
83. Mark Hubbard (USA)
84. Sam Stevens (USA)
85. Maverick McNealy (USA)
86. Lee Hodges (USA)
87. Nick Dunlap (USA)
88. Mac Meissner (USA)
89. Max Greyserman (USA)
90. Matt McCarty (USA)
91. Patrick Rodgers (USA)
92. Justin Lower (USA)
93. Jordan Smith (ENG)
94. Thorbjørn Olesen (DEN)
95. Francesco Molinari (ITA) - 2018 Open
96. Martin Kaymer (GER) - 2010 & 2014 PGA Champ
97. Jimmy Walker (USA) - 2016 PGA Champion
98. Luke List (USA)
99. Doug Ghim (USA)
100. Kevin Yu (TPE)
101. Romain Langasque (FRA)
102. Jesper Svensson (SWE)
103. Alex Smalley (USA)
104. S.H. Kim (KOR)

Tier 5: Long Shots (105-130)

26 golfers ranked 105-130. Mix of journeymen pros, international qualifiers, and past champions.

105. Brendon Todd (USA)
106. Michael Kim (USA)
107. Chad Ramey (USA)
108. Vince Whaley (USA)
109. Peter Malnati (USA)
110. Kevin Kisner (USA)
111. Webb Simpson (USA) - 2012 U.S. Open
112. Phil Mickelson (USA) - 2005 & 2021 PGA Champion
113. Daniel Berger (USA)
114. Harry Higgs (USA)
115. Charley Hoffman (USA)
116. Danny Willett (ENG) - 2016 Masters
117. Jason Kokrak (USA)
118. Beau Hossler (USA)
119. Scott Stallings (USA)
120. Michael Thompson (USA)
121. Ryan Palmer (USA)
122. Andrew Novak (USA)
123. David Lipsky (USA)
124. Rikuya Hoshino (JPN)
125. Joel Dahmen (USA)
126. Cam Champ (USA)
127. Ryan Armour (USA)
128. Dylan Frittelli (RSA)
129. Wesley Bryan (USA)
130. Jhonattan Vegas (VEN)

Tier 6: Ultimate Underdogs (131-156)

Final 26 spots. Past PGA Champions, club pros, international qualifiers, and PGA club professionals who qualified.

131. Bubba Watson (USA) - 2-Time Masters Champion
132. Sergio Garcia (ESP) - 2017 Masters Champion
133. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) - 2011 Masters Champion
134. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) - 2010 Open Champion
135. Padraig Harrington (IRL) - 3-Time Major Champion
136-150. PGA Club Professionals (20 qualify via PGA Championship in April)
151-156. International Qualifiers & Late Additions (confirmed May 12)

*Note: Final field confirmed Monday, May 12, 2026. PGA club pros and qualifiers fill Tier 6.*

PGA Championship vs Masters: Key Differences

Factor	Masters	PGA Championship
Field Size	~90 players	156 players
Recommended Tiers	6 tiers of 15	6 tiers of 26
Qualifying	Invitational only	20 club pros qualify
2026 Course	Augusta National (fixed)	Aronimink (rotates yearly)
Date	April 10-13	May 14-17, 2026

Aronimink Golf Club: What You Need to Know

Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania is hosting the 2026 PGA Championship. Designed by Donald Ross in 1928, this classic layout rewards precision over power. Here's how the course affects your pool:

Par 70, 7,237 yards — Tight, demanding layout that rewards precision driving
Rolling, tree-lined fairways with 75 bunkers — Accuracy matters more than length compared to Augusta
Donald Ross design — Crowned greens and strategic bunkering test approach play
May weather — Warmer, less wind than April Masters
Past PGA winner: Gary Player (1962)

Tier 1 Strategy at Aronimink

Target precision ball-strikers with major experience: Scottie Scheffler (defending champion), Rory McIlroy (2-time PGA champ), Collin Morikawa, and Matt Fitzpatrick. Accuracy is rewarded at Aronimink.

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When to Finalize Your PGA Tiers

Recommended: Monday, May 12, 2026 (week of PGA Championship)

The PGA Championship field is more fluid than the Masters. 20 club professionals qualify in late April. Late withdrawals happen. Wait until May 12 to finalize tiers to avoid imbalances.