The 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club will mark a historic moment as four golfers of Indian origin compete together in a major championship for the first time.
Akshay Bhatia, Sahith Theegala, Aaron Rai and Sudarshan Yellamaraju will all tee it up this week at Aronimink, adding another significant chapter to the growing global influence of Indian-origin golfers.
The year’s second major also features a blockbuster field led by defending champion Scottie Scheffler and Masters winner Rory McIlroy. Scheffler will aim to continue America’s recent dominance in the PGA Championship, while McIlroy looks to become only the fifth player since 1960 to win the first two majors of the season.
Among the Indian-origin quartet, Akshay Bhatia arrives with the strongest momentum. The 24-year-old, backed by Hero MotoCorp, has enjoyed another breakout season highlighted by victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, his third PGA Tour title.
Bhatia has also impressed at elite events such as THE PLAYERS Championship, the Genesis Invitational and the RBC Heritage. His creativity around the greens and improving putting make him a dangerous contender on a demanding layout like Aronimink.
Sahith Theegala, also supported by Hero, enters with a reputation as one of the PGA Tour’s most exciting shot-makers. The Californian has produced multiple top-10 finishes this season and continues to build consistency at the highest level.
Known for his fearless style and ability to manufacture birdies from difficult positions, Theegala could thrive if Aronimink rewards imagination and recovery play.
Aaron Rai brings a different profile into the championship. The Indo-British golfer has quietly established himself as one of the steadiest performers on tour through precision and discipline.
Rai’s controlled ball-striking and calm temperament could prove ideal on a course expected to punish mistakes heavily.
The most intriguing story, however, may belong to Sudarshan Yellamaraju. The Indian-born Canadian rookie earned his PGA Championship spot after a tied-19th finish at the Truist Championship and has quickly become one of the breakout names of the season.
Earlier this year, Yellamaraju stunned the golfing world with a tied-fifth finish at THE PLAYERS Championship. Remarkably, much of his development came through self-learning and online coaching videos rather than traditional academy structures.
This will be his major championship debut, but the 24-year-old has already shown he is capable of competing alongside the world’s best.
With Scheffler, McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele and Jordan Spieth all chasing the Wanamaker Trophy, the competition at Aronimink promises to be fierce.
But for Indian golf followers, the presence of four Indian-origin players in the field is already a landmark moment — and perhaps an opportunity for one of them to produce a major surprise.
