NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (April 30, 2026) – Former University of North Alabama all-conference men's golfer Paul McClure will represent the Lions on the national stage next month, as McClure qualified for the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania.
The 2026 PGA Championship will be the 108th edition of the event. It is one of four major championships in men's professional golf, often referred to as "the majors." This will be the second of the four majors and will take place on May 14-17, 2026.
One of the most unique aspects of the PGA Championship is that 20 PGA of America Golf Professionals earn the opportunity to compete alongside the world's best players at a major event. This will be McClure's first time competing in the PGA Championship.
"It's awesome to see an alum make the PGA Championship as a Club Professional," said The Schmitz Family Head Men's Golf Coach at UNA, Austin Phillips. "PGA Club Professionals are the backbone of golf around the country and make a large impact on many golfers around the country. To make the PGA Championship, you must play at such a high level, and Paul did that at a former major venue in Bandon Dunes. He had a great record at UNA, and he continues to represent the University in a positive way."
McClure, who played two seasons at UNA from 2013-15, is the club professional at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Magnolia Grove. In fact, UNA women's golf played a tournament at Magnolia Grove this past March.
McClure qualified for the PGA Championship this week following a top 20 finish at the Bandon Dunes qualifying event in Bandon, Ore. He finished tied for 18th with a card of 70-75-72-72 to finish with a final score of 289 (+2). He was the only player to qualify from the Alabama-Northwest Florida Section.
One notable qualifier alongside McClure was Michael Block, who finished T10 one stroke ahead of the UNA graduate. Block is well-known for his performance in the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill, where he was the only club pro that made the final cut and played with Rory McIlroy in the final round. He finished T15 that year at +1 and recorded an ace on the 15th hole.
As a Lion, McClure played two seasons after transferring in from Faulkner State Community College. The Mobile native won the 2013 Gulf South Conference Individual Championship and was named to the All-Tournament team with a score of 216 (E).
In 2015, McClure earned his second nod for the all-tournament team, finishing third with a 217 (+1) score. He was also a second team all-conference selection.
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