When Does the First Swing Happen? PGA Championship 2026 Release Schedule

NEWTOWN SQUARE — Scottie Scheffler is back to defend his crown as the 108th PGA Championship kicks off at the historic Aronimink Golf Club this Thursday, May 14, 2026.

The Ultimate Major Drama Drops

The world of professional golf is currently having its own chart-topper moment. It is not just about the green jacket or the history books anymore. This is high-stakes reality television played out on a Par 70 course.

Stan Twitter is already losing its collective mind over Scheffler’s attempt to repeat his dominance, but he is facing a field that looks like a Hollywood ensemble cast. Rory McIlroy is still chasing that elusive career Grand Slam, while Brooks Koepka is looking to prove he is still the ultimate villain of the majors.

The impact on the industry is massive.

This isn’t a soft launch of the summer season; it is the definitive mid-season finale for the sport. With 156 players in the field, including Olympic medalists and previous winners of the Wanamaker Trophy, the level of competition is through the roof. Aronimink hasn’t hosted this event since 1962, making this a retro-cool comeback for a course that has seen plenty of PGA Tour action in the last decade.

Does golf actually have a fandom that can rival pop stars? Absolutely.

The drama between the established legends and the new-money stars is the ultimate PR move for a sport that used to be seen as quiet.

Now, every tee time feels like a trailer release. Critics might say it is just men walking on grass, but the reality is that the tension at Newtown Square is more palpable than a surprise Taylor Swift drop.

How to Stream the First Swing

As per the official announcement from the PGA Digital Team, the main broadcast coverage for Round 1 will be split across ESPN and ESPN+ in the United States. For the true stans who need every single second of the action, the streaming starts early. Insiders reported that ESPN+ will carry the first five hours of coverage before the main cable feed takes over.

North American Release Schedule

If you are on the East Coast, get your coffee ready. The fandom starts early.

• USA and Canada (ET): Main coverage starts on ESPN+ at 7:00 a.m.
• USA and Canada (PT): Set your alarms for 4:00 a.m.

United Kingdom and European Release Timings

The vibes are immaculate for the afternoon crowd across the pond.

• United Kingdom (BST): Coverage begins at 12:00 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf.
• France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Poland (CEST): Tune in at 1:00 p.m.

India and Australia Watch Windows

For those in the Southern Hemisphere and Asia, this is your evening entertainment.

• India (IST): The stream goes live at 4:30 p.m.
• Australia (AEST): Catch the opening rounds at 9:00 p.m.

Tracking the Narrative Timeline

The evidence is clear: the first round sets the entire tone for the weekend. The first group is scheduled to start on Hole #1 at 7:35 a.m. ET, meaning the ESPN+ stream gives you exactly 35 minutes of pre-game hype before the first ball is in the air.

Featured groups will also be available on the app starting at 7:30 a.m. ET for those who want to follow specific stars like Matt Fitzpatrick or Justin Rose.

The weekend rounds will shift slightly, with CBS taking over the main afternoon broadcast on Saturday and Sunday. But for now, all eyes are on Thursday morning. The stage is set. Aronimink is calling.