PGA Championship 2024: Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth Set for a High‑Stakes Threesome
The 2024 PGA Championship gets underway at Aronimink Golf Club outside Philadelphia with a marquee trio headlining the first two rounds. Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth – together holders of 11 major championships – will share the same group on Thursday and Friday, creating a storyline that blends on‑course excellence with off‑course debate.
Why the Trio Matters
Jordan Spieth sits just one PGA Championship away from completing the career Grand Slam. McIlroy captured his first Masters in 2023 and defended it in April 2024, giving him two consecutive green jackets. Rahm, a former World No. 1, added the 2023 U.S. Open to his résumé. Their combined major tally underscores the caliber of play fans can expect when they tee off together.
LIV Golf Dialogue Takes Center Stage
The grouping also spotlights the ongoing conversation about LIV Golf. Rahm announced his departure from the PGA Tour ahead of the 2024 season, joining the LIV circuit funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). After the 2024 season concluded, PIF withdrew its financial backing, a move Rahm said he stood by despite the change.
McIlroy, who has remained on the PGA Tour, told reporters on Tuesday that “outsiders almost knew this was going to happen before the LIV players” and that many LIV‑aligned golfers felt “blindsided” by the news. His comments reflect the broader tension between the traditional tour and the rival league, a subplot that will be watched closely as the championship unfolds.
Tee‑Times and Pairings
- Thursday: McIlroy, Rahm and Spieth start on hole 10 at 8:40 a.m. local time (2:40 p.m. SAST).
- Friday: The same trio moves to hole 1 at 2:05 p.m. local time (8:05 p.m. SAST).
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler will be paired with England’s Matt Fitzpatrick and Justin Rose, playing the opposite schedule (hole 1 Thursday at 2:05 p.m., hole 10 Friday at 8:40 a.m.).
Other Notable Groups
The championship field features several compelling combinations that highlight both PGA Tour loyalty and LIV participation:
- Brooks Koepka (PGA Tour returnee) with Tyrrell Hatton (LIV) and Xander Schauffele (2024 PGA Champion).
- Bryson DeChambeau (LIV), Rickie Fowler and Ludvig Åberg.
- All‑American trio: Cameron Young, Keegan Bradley and Justin Thomas.
- Collin Morikawa, Viktor Hovland and Shane Lowry.
- JJ Spaun, Max Homa and Hideki Matsuyama.
- Gary Woodland, Sam Burns and Jason Day.
- PGA teaching professional Michael Block, Dustin Johnson and Rasmus Højgaard.
McIlroy’s Physical Condition
McIlroy’s preparation was briefly hampered by a blister on his right pinky toe. After a practice round on Tuesday he stopped after just three holes, citing discomfort. In a post‑round interview he explained, “Yes, I have a blister on the little toe of my right foot, but it’s under my nail… I can’t get to it properly, so it hurts a little. But I’m fine.” He later told Irish media that the nail had been removed and he was testing different shoes for relief.
Looking Ahead
With major pedigree, a lingering LIV‑vs‑PGA narrative, and a handful of intriguing pairings, the opening rounds at Aronimink promise both high‑quality golf and compelling storylines. Fans will be watching to see whether Spieth can inch closer to the career Grand Slam, how McIlroy’s toe holds up under tournament pressure, and whether the LIV‑affiliated players can perform despite the recent funding shift.
