‘Inside The Ropes’ is the chance for Golf Monthly’s expert team to share its honest thoughts on the biggest subjects in the game. This week, we look back on the 2026 PGA Championship
The PGA Championship will be remembered for Aaron Rai’s sensational finish to emphatically close the door on a stacked leaderboard.
Aronimink was expected to be blown away by the world’s best but it put up a great test for the top players, with its thick rough and undulating greens resulting in a winning score of nine-under-par and just 25 men finishing the week in the red digits from the 156 starters.
So, what were our biggest takeaways from the week?
Our tour experts have their say below – and be sure to let us know yours in the comments section at the bottom of the page…
The course and set-up was spot on
I was surprised to log in to X on Friday and over the weekend and see both players and fans criticising the set-up, as I though it was spot on.
In my mind, nine-under is an ideal winning score in a Major.
I was also shocked to see so many people portraying the bunched leaderboard as a negative. It was perfect. Having multiple Major Champions and journeyman pros within a couple of shots of the lead heading into Sunday is exactly what I want to see.
I enjoy golf tournaments where there’s a premium on hitting fairways, and watching players hit 350-yard drives into the rough and then struggle to hit their approaches with wedges inside 30 feet was great.
The drivable par-4 13th was an excellent risk-reward hole and having three gettable par 4s to open made the early stages exciting.
I’m normally a cynic when it comes to the year’s second Major, but I thought the PGA of America got it spot on.
The perception of Rai
Aaron Rai produced one of the most impressive back-nine performances I can remember on a Major Sunday, but so many people were quick to criticise him as boring.
There was nothing dull about what the Englishman produced or how he played.
He eagled the 9th, stiffed…
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