Geneva, 7 May 2026 – Sixty-four years on, the PGA Championship returns to Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania for the 108th edition of the only major reserved for professionals. Rolex Testimonee Gary Player was the last player to win the title at this stunning course, in 1962. Now it is the turn of the current generation of Rolex family members to put all their skill and precision to the test from Thursday 14 to Sunday 17 May.

Rolex Testimonee Scottie Scheffler leads a high-quality field of 156 golfers. The American arrives as defending champion and World No. 1, with four major championships to his name after doubling his tally last year. He prevailed by five strokes at the 2025 PGA Championship, before producing another dominant display to win The Open. A second-place finish at the Masters Tournament last month showed he has carried his form on the sport’s grandest stages into this season. Scheffler, discussing his mindset ahead of the event, says:

“When I show up at the major championships – or any event for that matter – I want to be as prepared as possible so that when I step up on the first tee to hit that first shot, I can tell myself I have done everything I can in order to play well. In turn, I can let go of all the pressure. I try to control what I can control, then I just remind myself that I have done all I can and it is time to let go, compete and have fun.”

The renaissance of Aronimink Golf Club will make for an enthralling four days of competition. Player fondly remembers his hard-fought one-stroke victory there, which marked the third of his nine major triumphs. Despite his tee shot finding the trees, the South African recovered to secure par on the 18th hole and lift the Wanamaker Trophy for the first time. Fittingly, in 2025, the club presented him with honorary membership and the dedication of The Gary Player Lounge. Those tributes are a measure of the respect that endures for his legacy as a member of The Big Three alongside fellow Testimonees Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Rolex’s long-standing relationship with golf began in 1967, sealed by a gentleman’s handshake with Palmer and centred on an association with the trio who popularized the sport worldwide. The Swiss watchmaker returned as Official Timekeeper and Official Partner of the PGA of America and its flagship championship, the PGA Championship, in 2021.

“Aronimink is a club rich in history, character and class,” Player says. “It is also a phenomenal golf course and one that deserves even greater recognition. It was deeply moving [to be made an honorary member]. With my daughter living nearby, it feels even more special because I am able to visit every so often. To have a room named in my honour there is something I will cherish forever.”

It was another Rolex Testimonee who played a key role in enabling Aronimink Golf Club to stage this great championship once again. Guided by initial plans and historic photographs, landscape architect Gil Hanse expertly returned the course to its former glory a decade ago, reintroducing the elevated, well-protected greens, rolling fairways and challenging rough that once defined it in 1928. Hanse will now watch on as the finest players in the sport attempt to tackle the test he has helped set. Hanse says:

Reflecting on his relationship with Rolex, Hanse adds:

“To be associated with excellence is all you can hope for in your career. The best piece of advice I have been given is ‘quality is the best business plan’ and the quality of Rolex has always been the standard I aspire to.”

Rolex Testimonee Matt Fitzpatrick arrives in form after his two wins in consecutive weeks on the PGA TOUR® last month, while others such as Ludvig Åberg and Viktor Hovland will continue their pursuit of a first major victory as Jordan Spieth attempts to complete the full set. The American can become only the seventh man in history to achieve the career Grand Slam, following in the footsteps of fellow Testimonees Player (1965), Nicklaus (1966) and Tiger Woods (2000). Accuracy and perseverance will be key to mastering the demands of Aronimink Golf Club, the latest stop on the endless quest for perfection.

ROLEX AND GOLF

Rolex celebrates human achievement, recognizing the journey marked by milestones and emotions that culminates in defining moments – determined by a path followed, not just a trophy. The Swiss watchmaker’s affinity with golf was sealed in 1967 with a gentleman’s handshake between the brand and Arnold Palmer, and centred on an association with Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Known as The Big Three, these legendary players changed the face of golf forever. Their partnerships with Rolex marked the beginning of an enduring legacy based on the shared commitment to continuous improvement and unwavering precision, one that has grown and flourished over the decades. While honouring those who paved the way, Rolex stands alongside the world’s leading players, organizations and events, from the Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open and The Open, to The Amundi Evian Championship, and team competitions such as the Presidents Cup™, The Ryder Cup and the Solheim Cup. The Rolex Testimonees striving for excellence across the men’s and women’s game include major champions Brooke Henderson, Lydia Ko, Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler, Adam Scott and Tiger Woods, while rising stars Ludvig Åberg and Jeeno Thitikul continue their own journeys of high achievement. The brand’s presence is felt at every level of the sport – extending to all the major championships and the foremost professional tours, team events and amateur tournaments. Rolex’s support of golf is built on a strong sense of integrity and respect for tradition that promotes the importance of investing in the sport’s development for future generations.