My Full Dispatch from the 2026 PGA Championship

Hello again, my lovely Shining Rock family! I am officially back home in our quiet New England pines, sitting with a fresh cup of coffee, and nursing a pair of feet that are still holding a bit of a grudge against me.

What a whirlwind it has been. I promised you a grand adventure filled with "Fairways, Phantoms, and Philly," and looking back at the entire trip, Pennsylvania truly delivered a masterpiece. From the tense early rounds to a historic Sunday finish at Aronimink Golf Club, my notebooks are full, my heart is full, and surprisingly, my golf bag is already zipped and ready by the front door.

Here is the complete story of my journey to the 108th PGA Championship and everything I discovered along the way.

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Philly Detours: Cannoli, Ghosts, and Garden Envy

Before the real drama unfolded on the fairways, I set out on my own personal "reporting" missions across Philadelphia. You know I can never resist local culture, historic mysteries, or a good pastry safari!

The Pastry Chef's Inspection

My first stop was the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival. Walking into that vibrant crowd, the aromas immediately took me back to my days standing over a hot oven as a pastry chef. Naturally, I had a job to do: a rigorous inspection of the local cannoli. I sampled my way through some of the most decadent, beautifully crisp, authentic Italian sweets you could imagine. While I won't name a single favorite out of fear of not being let back into the city, I can officially confirm that a fresh cannoli is the ultimate, high-octane fuel required to walk a four-mile major championship golf course.

Chasing Spirits in the Old City

Once night fell, it was time for a change of pace. I swapped my appetite for a bit of spine-tingling suspense and embarked on a Candlelight Ghost Tour through Old City. For someone who spends far too much time scrolling Facebook for ghost stories and royal gossip, this was absolute heaven. Wandering the dim, historic cobblestone streets, I felt a few chills that definitely weren't just the spring breeze. I didn't lock eyes with a colonial phantom this time around, but the eerie atmosphere certainly had me looking over my shoulder!

A Lesson in Humility at Longwood Gardens

To catch my breath between golf rounds, I took a quick sanity break at Longwood Gardens for their famous Festival of Fountains. May in Pennsylvania means peak bloom, and the landscaping was absolutely breathtaking. Walking through those pristine displays, I took plenty of notes for my own garden back home. I used to think my flowerbeds looked "rugged," but after seeing Longwood, I’ve come to realize they are just "artistically challenged." I'm bringing back a few seeds and a lot of ambition to see if I can bridge the gap this summer!

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The Beast of Aronimink: How the Major Was Won

Once I stepped inside the ropes at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, the atmosphere shifted to pure, electric energy. Donald Ross’s legendary course is a certified beast. Its massive, rolling layout and monster greens demand absolute perfection.

Early on, it was a brutal, gritty test of golf. By Friday evening, the leaderboard was tightly packed, with Maverick McNealy and Alex Smalley holding a slender lead at 4-under par, while superstars like Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas lurked just two shots back. The fans—nearly 200,000 of them over the week—braved everything from scattered, chilly spring showers to a scorching, humid 90-degree Sunday.

But Sunday belonged to a history-maker.

2026 PGA Championship - Final Leaderboard

Aaron Rai	-9 (65 on Sunday)
T2. Jon Rahm	-6
T2. Alex Smalley	-6

Out of a crowded pack of 22 players within four shots of the lead, England’s Aaron Rai put on an absolute clinic. Playing his final 10 holes in a jaw-dropping 6-under par, he carded a stunning final-round 65 to lift the Wanamaker Trophy at 9-under par, finishing three shots clear of Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley.

Watching him make that final walk up the 18th fairway while wearing his signature two gloves was a bucket-list moment. He became the first English-born player to win the PGA Championship since Jim Barnes all the way back in 1919! In his post-victory interview, Rai beautifully summed up the spirit of the weekend:

Golf is an amazing game. It teaches you so many things, and it teaches you so much humility and discipline... nothing is ever given in this game no matter what level you're playing.

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Coming Home Inspired

Hearing those words resonated with me deeply as I watched him hoist that massive trophy. I’ve worn a lot of hats in my life—flight attendant scarves, pastry chef toques, and diplomat blazers—and my own golf game has always remained what I like to call "relatably tragic." I’m far more accustomed to celebrating an occasional spectacular par (and laughing off a triple-bogey) than chasing course records.

But being out there on the ground, witnessing the sheer grit, the heartbreak, the drama, and the ultimate triumph of a Major Championship has lit a brand-new spark in me. Golf truly is a magical game of lifelong learning and everyday adventures.

My husband Mark has been an absolute champ keeping the wheels turning at home while I was away, but I think he’s ready to hand over the remote control. Instead, I might just hand him his clubs. Seeing Aaron Rai conquer the beast of Aronimink didn't just make me appreciate the pros; it inspired me to get back out there on the fairways myself.

I'm officially trading my media pass back for my golf visor. You can expect to see me out practicing at Shining Rock all week long, trying to channel a little bit of that major championship magic into my own swing. If you see me on the range—likely wearing two gloves and looking for my ball in the rough—come say hello!

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Did you watch Sunday's historic finish? What was your favorite moment of the tournament, or do you have any tips for surviving a 90-degree day on the course? Let me know in the comments below!