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If Rory goes on to win, his 74 in R1 would be the highest first-round score by a PGA Championship winner since 1989.

Rory McIlroy moved into contention during the third round of the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, putting himself on the verge of a historic comeback victory after an opening-round 74 left him fighting just to stay in the tournament.

The two-time PGA Championship winner shot a second-round 67 to climb back into the mix, then continued his charge Saturday with a front-nine 32. Through 14 holes of Round 3, McIlroy sat at 4-under overall and just two shots behind the lead, according to the live leaderboard.

McIlroy’s recovery comes after he called his first-round performance “S***” following a difficult opening day at Aronimink. The Northern Irishman struggled with his driver on Thursday and closed with four consecutive bogeys in windy and demanding conditions.

Now, if McIlroy completes the comeback and lifts the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday, he would make PGA Championship history. His opening-round 74 would become the highest first-round score by a PGA Championship winner since 1989.

Rory McIlroy rebounds after difficult start at PGA Championship

GettyRory McIlroy of Northern Ireland

McIlroy entered the week as one of the favorites alongside world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, especially after winning back-to-back Masters titles and completing the career Grand Slam in 2025.

But Aronimink Golf Club quickly challenged the field during the opening round. Gusting winds, thick, rough, and difficult pin positions produced a crowded leaderboard and frustrated several top players.

McIlroy was among those who struggled most. After his opening 74, he admitted his driving issues had become a concern.

“I’m just not driving the ball well enough,” McIlroy said earlier in the week. “It’s been a problem all year for the most part.”

He also acknowledged that Aronimink punished inaccurate tee shots more than he expected.

“There certainly is a penalty for missing the fairway,” McIlroy said. “Probably more than what I anticipated.”

The response over the next two rounds has been impressive.

McIlroy carded a bogey-free 67 on Friday to comfortably make the cut. He then continued the momentum Saturday morning with birdies at the first, fifth, sixth and ninth holes to turn in 3-under 32.

According to reports from Aronimink, McIlroy’s long drive onto the green at the short par-4 sixth set up one of his key birdies during the round.

The turnaround placed him firmly back in contention heading into the final stretch of the championship.

Scottie Scheffler, Justin Rose remain in crowded PGA Championship race

GettyJustin Rose of England and Scottie Scheffler of the United States

While McIlroy surged, several major champions also stayed within reach entering the weekend.

Justin Rose made one of the biggest moves Saturday morning after barely making the cut Friday, thanks to a late chip-in eagle. Rose followed that with a front-nine 30 during Round 3 to climb near the top of the leaderboard.

Scottie Scheffler also remained in the hunt despite a second-round 71. The defending PGA champion said the difficult setup at Aronimink had kept scoring unusually close to par.

“This is the hardest set of pin locations that I’ve seen since I’ve been on tour,” Scheffler said. “It’s difficult to hole putts, especially when you have big slopes and wind.”

Brooks Koepka, another three-time PGA Championship winner, also stayed in contention alongside McIlroy entering Saturday after opening the tournament at 1-over par.

The tournament’s early rounds showed how demanding Aronimink had become despite expectations of low scoring. Jon Rahm explained that the course looked more forgiving on paper than it actually played.

“The rough doesn’t look as long as many other majors, but it’s such a thick blade of grass that, even when the lie looks OK, it catches you so bad,” Rahm said.

Xander Schauffele added, “It was windy. Guys were hitting 300 … and you’re trying to land it in a tiny window.”

Despite those conditions, McIlroy has now positioned himself for a potential piece of PGA Championship history. A victory Sunday would not only give him a third Wanamaker Trophy but also complete one of the biggest first-round recoveries the tournament has seen in more than three decades.