A Tense Showdown: McIlroy vs Rahm

by Roh Woolae

Published 13 May.2026 08:46(KST)

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Scheffler, Fitzpatrick, and Rose Grouped Together

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) and LIV Golf star Jon Rahm (Spain) are set for an uneasy round together.

According to the groupings announced for the season's second major, the PGA Championship, on May 12 (local time), McIlroy, Rahm, and Jordan Spieth (USA) will begin their first round from the 10th hole.

Rory McIlroy is teeing off on the 3rd hole during the practice round of the PGA Championship. Newtown=AFP Yonhap News Agency Photo by AFP

McIlroy is aiming for back-to-back major victories, following his win at last month's Masters Tournament, the first major of the season. Rahm, who has 11 PGA Tour wins including the 2023 Masters, and who was once ranked World No. 1, saw his ranking drop to 20th after joining LIV Golf in 2024. McIlroy has publicly criticized Rahm's move to LIV Golf, leading to ongoing tension between the two.

World No. 1 and defending champion Scottie Scheffler (USA) will play the first two rounds with Matt Fitzpatrick and Justin Rose (both England). Fitzpatrick has been on a tremendous rise this season, earning three PGA Tour wins. Rose, the 2016 Rio Olympic gold medalist, claimed victory at the Farmers Insurance Open in January this year, marking his 13th career PGA Tour title.

Kim Siwoo will play alongside Joe Highsmith and Derek Barron (both USA). Im Sungjae's group includes Austin Hurt (USA) and Casey Jarvis (South Africa). 2009 champion Yang Yong-Eun will tee off with Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) and Matt McCarthy (USA).