Who Is Maverick McNealy? A Look at the Stanford University Grad Contending at Aronimink

Maverick McNealy is in contention at Aronimink Golf Club through 36 holes of the 2026 PGA Championship. The 30-year-old from Stanford, California, is a Stanford University graduate who turned professional in 2017 and has steadily built one of the more consistent résumés on the PGA TOUR.

Maverick McNealy: Fast FactsFull Name: Maverick McNealyBorn: November 7, 1995 (Age 30)Hometown: Stanford, CaliforniaResidence: Las Vegas, NevadaCollege: Stanford UniversityTurned Professional: 2017

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Background

McNealy was one of the most decorated amateur golfers in Stanford history.

He was a three-time, first-team All-American, ’15 Haskins award, ’15 Nicklaus award, ’17 Byron Nelson award, ’17 Ben Hogan award. Eleven collegiate victories, second-lowest single-season scoring average in NCAA history.

Tied the Stanford University record for lowest 18-hole score (61).

Member of the 2015 and 2017 U.S. Palmer Cup teams.

Turned professional in 2017 and has been a full-time PGA TOUR member since, building his game steadily across multiple seasons into a reliable presence in major championship fields.

PGA Championship History

McNealy has made five appearances at the PGA Championship, with his best result coming at Valhalla in 2024.

YearCourseFinishScore2021Kiawah IslandMC78-73 (+7)2022Southern Hills CCT-7573-71-78-73 (+15)2023Oak Hill CCMC78-73 (+11)2024Valhalla GCT-2366-72-69-67 (-10)2025Quail Hollow ClubT-3370-72-69-73 (E)

Career PGA Championship Earnings: $290,480
Cuts Made: 3 of 5
Best Finish: T-23 (2024, Valhalla)
Lowest Round: 66 (Round 1, 2024 Valhalla)

2026 Season

McNealy has posted consistent results across a full 2026 schedule heading into Aronimink:

TournamentResultSony Open in HawaiiT-24Farmers Insurance Open10thWM Phoenix OpenT-13AT&T Pebble BeachT-29Arnold Palmer InvitationalT-13THE PLAYERS ChampionshipT-32Valero Texas OpenT-21Masters TournamentT-18RBC HeritageT-16Truist ChampionshipT-37

His T-18 at the 2026 Masters — closing with a 67 at Augusta — is his best major championship result to date. He ranked 5th around the greens and 14th in putting that week, categories that have emerged as strengths in 2026.