PGA Championship Opens With Featured Thursday Groups

The 2026 PGA Championship starts Thursday with a lineup that puts some of golf’s biggest draws at the center of Round 1.

Reports indicate Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth headline the featured groups as the tournament opens, giving the championship an early jolt of star power. First-round pairings always shape the feel of a major, and this schedule does more than organize tee times — it frames the opening storylines before anyone posts a number that matters.

Thursday’s pairings put proven major contenders in the spotlight from the opening tee shot.

That matters because early groupings often drive more than television interest. They influence pace, crowd flow and the rhythm of the day, especially when established names share the course. In a major championship, every opening-round shot lands with extra weight, and players in the marquee groups know they will set the tone for everyone who follows.

The attention on McIlroy, Rahm and Spieth comes naturally. Each brings a distinct profile, and together they give the opening round immediate relevance for casual viewers and committed golf fans alike. Sources suggest the full Thursday schedule offers a broader look at how tournament organizers want the first round to unfold, balancing marquee appeal with the demands of a deep championship field.

What happens next will quickly determine whether the first day delivers separation or simply suspense. By the end of Thursday, the conversation will shift from pairings to position — who handled the opening pressure, who lost ground early, and which names turned a neatly arranged schedule into a real leaderboard fight.