PGA Championship 2026: Rory McIlroy's little-target approach has him in position to achieve his big goal
Unlike at Bethpage last fall, fans are supporting Rory McIlroy as he crawls back into contention at Aronimink and eyes a second straight major win
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — “You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain. ” Rory McIlroy was quoting Aaron Eckhart, the actor who portrays Harvey Dent in the Batman film, “The Dark Knight.
” McIlroy described the 2008 picture as one of his “go-to” movies to take his mind off golf. “It’s my favorite line from the movie,” McIlroy said. Does that somehow describe himself?
“Sometimes,” he said with a laugh. Aronimink Golf Club is roughly 140 miles from Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, N. Y.
, where last fall McIlroy was very much the villain during the 45th Ryder Cup as he led Europe to a rare road victory over the United States. But near Philadelphia, the acclaimed City of Brotherly Love, McIlroy once again is more of a hero, his popularity transcending nationality, his talent something to be appreciated and not reviled. During the third round of the 2026 PGA Championship, as a multitude of players swarmed the leaderboard with unsatiated aggression, McIlroy loomed large and with conspicuous approval by a fan base that is not easily impressed, let alone won over.
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