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Rory McIlroy lands in Philadelphia for 2026 PGA Championship week

The golf star heads to Pennsylvania to chase history at Aronimink Golf Club amid major contention.

By celebplanes · 1 min read · Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy — owner of N1989R (Gulfstream G650ER)

Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy's Gulfstream G650ER (N1989R) flight path — KPBI — Palm Beach to KPHL — Philadelphia
Flight path · KPBI — Palm BeachKPHL — Philadelphia · 2h 7m airborne
Listen — voice briefing0:07
0:00-0:07
Departure
KPBI — Palm Beach
Arrival
KPHL — Philadelphia
Airborne
2h 7m
Distance
829 nm
CO₂
9.6t

Rory McIlroy flew from Palm Beach International Airport in Florida to Philadelphia International Airport on May 11, 2026, touching down after a brisk two-hour jaunt in his Gulfstream G650ER. The flight, departing at 9 p.m. Eastern, cruised at over 45,000 feet and 575 knots, slicing efficiently across the Eastern Seaboard.

McIlroy arrives just as the 108th PGA Championship unfolds at Aronimink Golf Club in nearby Newtown Square from May 11 to 17, per the official PGA Championship website. Fresh off defending his Masters title and completing the career grand slam, he eyes a fifth major victory—though a limp spotted at last week's Truist Championship sparked brief concerns, as covered by the New York Post on May 11. Private jets like his make such tournament hops routine for top pros chasing the Wanamaker Trophy.

This East Coast swing aligns with McIlroy's pattern of zipping between PGA events from his Jupiter, Florida base, including a recent hop from Quail Hollow to Palm Beach on May 10. As a PGA Tour Player Director, he balances competition with boardroom duties, but the majors remain the gravitational pull—Aronimink marks his latest pursuit of European major supremacy, per Heavy Sports analysis.

Aboard the Gulfstream G650ER

Gulfstream G650ER exterior — Rory McIlroy's private jet (N1989R)
Gulfstream G650ER cabin floor plan — Rory McIlroy's private jet interior layout
Exterior & cabin layout · Gulfstream G650ER

The aircraft

Type
Gulfstream G650ER
Tail
N1989R
Max alt
45,050 ft
Max speed
575 kt

End of article · celebplanes