Reitan Wins at Quail Hollow! 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Preview!

The 73rd Hole Podcast dives into the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, one of golf’s most storied layouts, with hosts Sam Humphreys, Taylor Williams, and Jim Woodward breaking down the course’s dramatic 2017 redesign by Gil Hanse—removing 1,000 trees and adding 100 bunkers to transform it into a bomber’s paradise. They argue that Aronimink’s open, elevated tee boxes and punishing fescue rough now demand precision and aggressive course management, making it a true test of modern golf. The episode highlights a surprising rise from the DP World Tour, spotlighting young Norwegian star Christopher Raiton, who won the Truist Championship with clutch putting and resilience, proving that top-tier talent is emerging from the developmental ranks. While the hosts debate whether the PGA Championship has finally earned its second-tier major status—thanks to elite fields and analytical dominance—they predict a top-heavy leaderboard, with Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young, and Xander Schauffele as favorites. Yet, they also champion under-the-radar dark horses like Justin Thomas and Nikolai Hojgaard, warning that the course’s new openness could allow bombers to dominate unless rough is thick enough to penalize wayward shots. The episode closes on a heartfelt note, celebrating the underdog success of Carl Albert High School’s golf team, whose dramatic turnaround from 17-over to 2-under in just two rounds is framed as a triumph of relentless coaching and mental toughness.