Aronimink’s Greens: The Primary Defense
As the golf world turns its attention to the Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, for the upcoming PGA Championship, World No. 2 Rory McIlroy has been vocal about his impressions of the historic venue. For McIlroy, the course's primary challenge lies in its putting surfaces.
«It should be a bit drier, which really brings out the character of the greens. The greens seem to be the big defense and the big talking point of the golf course,» McIlroy remarked. Having previously played the course during the 2018 BMW Championship—which was hampered by wet conditions—McIlroy noted that players need to be cautious. «If you get yourself above the hole or you start to short-side yourself, you can get yourself in some tricky spots.»
The Disappearing Strategic Challenge
While McIlroy appreciates the bunker work and the variety of the par-3s and par-4s at the Donald Ross-designed course, he expressed concern regarding the evolution of golf course architecture. Specifically, he feels that the modern trend of clearing trees has inadvertently simplified the game by removing the need for careful strategy off the tee.
«I think in this day and age, I’m not sure if it’s going to test all aspects of your bag,» McIlroy explained. «Strategy off the tee is pretty nonexistent. It’s basically bash driver down there and then figure it out from there.»
McIlroy pointed to similar trends at other classic venues, such as Oak Hill, noting that when architects remove significant numbers of trees, the demand for precision with a driver is reduced, allowing professionals to overpower the course.
The Debate Over Restoration
The sentiment is shared by other top players, including Jon Rahm, who has been skeptical of the current trend of returning courses to their original, pre-tree aesthetics. «I see a lot of golf courses coming in saying, ‘Look, 100 years ago, this golf course was like this, there were no trees,’» Rahm said. «Well, in the back of my mind, they planted those trees with the future vision of having those trees in play, and now you’re taking them all out?»
Despite acknowledging the benefits of tree removal—such as improved turf health, better light, and enhanced course conditions—Rahm agreed with McIlroy’s assessment that the current environment rewards a more aggressive, driver-heavy approach.
Looking Ahead to the Major
Despite his criticisms of the architectural strategy, McIlroy remains focused on the task at hand. The emphasis for the field will be navigating the complex greens. «The greens are the main focus this week, and I think getting yourself in the right sections of the greens, making sure you leave yourself below the hole for the most part. That’s the key this week,» he concluded.