Rory McIlroy Criticizes PGA Championship Setup After Moving Back Into Contention
Rory McIlroy reacts after shooting a 67 in the second round of the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink, a score that moved him back into contention heading into the weekend.
McIlroy says being five shots back still leaves him right in the tournament, especially with such a bunched leaderboard and the possibility of making a run on the front nine if conditions calm down and the hole locations become more favorable.
After describing his opening round as “shit,” Rory jokingly calls his second round “not as shit” and explains why he played with more patience after realizing Aronimink was tougher than expected.
He also gives an honest view on the PGA Championship setup, saying that while the course is good and the pins were tough, a leaderboard this bunched can be a sign of a setup that has not allowed players to separate themselves.
I love how honestly Rory answers questions . Use to be why I didn’t like him bc of some of the stuff he said but now I’ve just grown to respect how authentic he is
Love Rory's attitude, nothing gets sugar coated, tells it how it is like the Max Verstappen of golf. Glad to see him have a bounce back today.
Rory is probably right but it's also cool as a fan to see so many guys in contention to have a chance to win.
Fair enough Rory. As a fan, I like a bunched leaderboard half way. Now the weekend will be exciting.
The Players Just do not Know the Greens At Aronimink like they do Augusta Nation , the greens and pins at the masters are far tougher , but all the players know Augusta set up so well they play the Greens like they should do there and NO one would EVER cry over Pin and course set up at the Masters .
All the players have to play the same course. It's an older course and they have to set it up harder with tucked pin placements and long rough to make it harder. It's a major, you're supposed to shine! So shut up and shine. Or go to LIV
knowing it was windy, I think silly to give players double whammy with crazy pin spots, now weather is better and they will have access to easier pins, expect someone to make a good run on saturday
Setup does seem a bit strange. I love it how Rory doesn't hold back. Even though it may come across as whinging sometimes.
Not rewarding good shots and not that punishing for bad one's often ends with a one and done (lucky survivor)major winner. Hopefully a change in course setup for the final two rounds
It’s simple play better. He’s a whiner and full of himself.
Stop crying all of you- you all play the same course- it doesn't favor anyone- so the winning score is not going to be -15- Deal with it.
This course looks like something from a dystopian future where all the life and personality have been taken out of it. Every hole is the same, none of them stand out or are interesting. No fun shots from behind the big trees like we used to get at PGA set ups (Sergio in 99) . Just dead straight holes with bunkering in the same areas, miss fairway hack out. Scramblers can't separate, easy to get up and down, tough to make birdies. Super boring to watch.
See, he actually understands it
Rory’s lack of post secondary education seems to be showing more and more. How many ehms can you expect in 5 minute interview.
He shot +4 the first day and -3 the second day. He’s just crying because he thinks the +4 round will screw him in the end when he thought he had to go low. It’s his own fault trying to be “too smart” and guessing what’s gonna happen as opposed to playing the course for what it is…just wish Rory wasn’t such a cry baby since he’s a legend in the game.
He's a moron
Of course Rory is correct. They’ve sucked all the fun out of the PGA by moving it to May and moving towards these harder set up’s
Screw him. I wish he would never win another tournament.
Such a cry baby !!
Every week is a different setup you have to adjust.
I respect his honesty but don't agree with him. Every major needs a bunched up leaderboard. Who wants to watch when a few guys are 7 strokes ahead?
If he shoots a good score, he loves the course. If he fucks up, the course setup is suspect. Friggin Leprechaun.
Big Rory fan, but I think the fact that it’s bunched up proves it’s just hard to make birdies and extremely fair because it limits double bogey. I don’t follow his logic.
he sounds like a whiner, entitlement syndrome? How dare the great Rory be bunched up with a bunch of nobodies.
I've found it a bit of a bore so far. I do not like seeing the best in the world struggle so much on a course that is tricked-up difficult – I want a balanced course that rewards good play but punishes poor shots. I can see bogies any time playing with my mates – I want to see great birdie and eagle runs! For me the perfect tournament was the 1986 US Masters with its fabulous runs of super shots, dramatic charges and shocker shots. ⛳
Remember kids, if you play poorly, blame the set-up…
Very difficult pin placements are a good thing for Golf, don’t forget these guys are professionals, they get paid a shit ton of money to play golf, get all the best equipment for nothing and hit hundreds of golf balls a day
Every time these guys play a tough course and can't score birdie after birdie they whine and complain. What is he talking about with a bunched up leader board with no seperation? They are all playing the same course. If you want seperation play better. I for one love watching the players get a real test for a change.