How Aronimink Recharged My Game
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Tunxis, I’m back.
When the club sent me down to Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, to cover a major, I knew I was trading our familiar Farmington greens for some of the most historic fairways in the country. But seeing Aronimink in person didn't just give me a great story to tell—it completely re-energized my own obsession with this game.
Standing by the ropes watching the best in the world navigate Donald Ross's legendary layout made me want to drop my notebook, grab my clubs, and immediately hit the range.
Here is my final, definitive capstone report from a wild, wind-burned, and ultimately awe-inspiring week in the Philly suburbs—and how it changed my outlook on my own game.
Why Precision Beat Power
I started the week admiring just how wide and inviting those fairways looked. Well, looks can be incredibly deceiving. Once the tournament got underway, the PGA of America cooked up some absolute "Matrix-style" pin locations, and Mother Nature decided to turn the course into a high-stakes wind machine.
By Friday night, the leaderboard looked like a chaotic game of musical chairs. Maverick McNealy and Alex Smalley were clinging to a co-lead at just 4 under par—the highest 36-hole leading score we’ve seen in over a decade. The wind was punishing anything less than absolute perfection.
In a shocking twist, Bryson DeChambeau missed the cut entirely for his second straight major this season, proving that brute force means nothing when the wind is gusting and the greens are wavy. Precision and a sharp short game were the only ways to survive.
Even the indomitable Scottie Scheffler had a rough start, bogeying three of his first four holes on Friday before fighting his way back to finish the day at 2 under, tied with Justin Thomas and Cameron Young.
The Sunday Masterclass
By Sunday, the weather pulled a total 180, trading the chilly, wind-burned gusts for a hot, humid, 90-degree Pennsylvania scorcher. There were 22 players within four shots of the lead when the final round started, making the atmosphere around Delco absolutely electric.
Then came Aaron Rai.
The 31-year-old Englishman absolutely tore through his final 10 holes, playing them in 6 under par to card a brilliant 5-under 65. Watching him march up the 18th fairway in his trademark two gloves to hoist the Wanamaker Trophy was nothing short of surreal. He finished at 9 under par for the championship, three shots clear of Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley, becoming the first English-born player to win the PGA Championship since Jim Barnes all the way back in 1919.
The Philly Pivot Recap
When I wasn't glued to the action at Aronimink, I utilized my trusty SEPTA Regional Rail pass to slip fifteen miles east into Philadelphia to soak in the city. As a Marketing and Art History major, exploring Philly is always a masterclass, but I made sure to balance my eye for detail with a serious appreciation for the local culture:
The Philadelphia Museum of Art: I can officially confirm that attempting to run up the famous "Rocky Steps" while holding a fresh iced flat white is a logistical disaster. I might have spilled a bit of coffee, but viewing the incredible architecture inside was the perfect way to spend an afternoon before heading back to the course.
Reading Terminal Market: I went in searching for a snack with a 200-year-old backstory and left carrying an authentic Philly soft pretzel that was genuinely larger than my head. It’s a mandatory historic food stop for a reason.
The Elijah Craig Bourbon Speakeasy: Tucked right along the historic 7th fairway back at Aronimink, this was my ultimate sanctuary. The atmosphere was incredible, and watching the players strategize their shots from the comfort of the speakeasy gave me a whole new appreciation for course management.
The Ultimate Takeaway
Earlier in the week, I stopped by the PGA Swing Analysis presented by Charles Schwab. Getting a side-by-side video breakdown of your mechanics from a pro is always an eye-opening experience. As someone who loves competing, seeing the minute adjustments the pros make to keep their ball flight locked in under pressure was fascinating.
But watching Aaron Rai talk about his victory is what really struck a chord with me. After hoisting that massive trophy, he remarked:
"Golf is an amazing game. It teaches you so many things, and it teaches you so much humility and discipline and absolute hard work because nothing is ever given in this game."
Standing there, watching 200,000 fans erupt in Delco, I realized that seeing that level of discipline on Aronimink's undulating greens has inspired me to take my own game to the next level. I'm usually pretty dialed in with my wedges, but watching Rai navigate a decade-defying wind storm and a 90-degree heatwave to make history has made me want to push myself even harder on the course.
See you on the range, Tunxis. I'll be the one fiercely working on my ball flight!
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