Why I thought the PGA Championship was great TV

Six more weeks and I’d have completed six months' worth of weekly updates. So, for those that are good at maths, this makes this weekly column 20 of 2026. It’s safe to say two things. For those that send me messages after reading or leave comments, thank you - it seems plenty of you do. 

I am writing this after three days of golf. But for once, I’m not really going to go into too much detail about my game because, to put it frankly, it’s been like a small horse - PONY. My inability to find a fairway or hit a green has clearly deserted me. But at least I can putt, right?

The PGA Championship Was Great TV Viewing

(Image Credit: Rolex/J.D Cuban)

So far, at the time of writing, we’ve had three days of the US PGA Championship. I’ve managed to watch a fair amount of it and to be honest with you, it’s been thoroughly entertaining. I’ve loved every minute of it. 

Away from these weekly columns, I do also write other articles for Golfshake, and those eagle eyed members and visitors may have noticed my opinion piece I wrote last week. I won't go over already covered ground, but there is a link here to the article basically defending the US PGA Championship as an event, major, competition. With the leaders yet to tee off in the fourth round, I could argue that this particular article has been fully justified and backed up with the first three days of compelling golf. 

The incredible victory of Aaron Rai only further supports that perspective.

I heard Rory’s opinion around the bunched leaderboard being a sign of a poor course setup. I can’t really agree or disagree with that from a player’s perspective - mainly due to the fact I am yet to make my major debut. But whether you agree or disagree with Rory’s comments, what it does do, in my opinion, is make for fantastic viewing. 

I’m not in the camp of needing scores close to par to make an event great. I don’t need a birdie fest either for that matter. But when I sit down to watch some golf, personally I like to see players really tested - especially at a major. The first two days proved this with thick rough, tough pin placements and some pretty strong wind playing a factor also. 

But Saturday in particular, 16 different players held the lead at some point during the third round. That for me is great TV. Not knowing where the leader is coming from. A player making three bogeys in a row and dropping down 30 places. Likewise making three birdies and jumping up from nowhere. Another twist at every turn means I’ll sit down tonight, probably an hour before the leaders tee off and I’ll be glued until the final putt is holed. 

All I’m going to say is that there have been majors in the past where a player is that far ahead that I may call it a night with three holes left to play. The US PGA, once again, in my opinion, has delivered. 

Walton Heath is Simply Incredible

Other than my three terrible rounds, I did also have a great day out at Walton Heath during the week. A venue I have reviewed for Golfshake in the past - you can read that here - but this time it was all in aid of the Walton Heath Trophy that takes place in July. Again, I won’t go into details because there is another article around this coming later this week. But it was great to meet some custodians of a golf club that speak passionately about their venue and support of grassroots golf - for these guys in particular the elite amateurs so keep an eye out for that later this week. 

Walton Heath is also hosting US Open Qualifying tomorrow (Monday 18th July) and it’s a great day out with a pretty good field of golfers yet to qualify and walking around the heathland gem with no ropes getting up close to the players. 

There is not much lined up this week apart from a game Wednesday afternoon at my new home club, Diss. This will actually be my first full round there as a member after the initial eight holes I played the day I joined officially so at least that is something to look forward to - hopefully the weather plays ball and this horrid drop kick of a snap hook I have developed stays away. 

Have a good week.