Xander Schauffele continues to lead the way at the PGA Championship after a solid second round at Valhalla Golf Club. Following his record-setting 62 on Thursday, Schauffele shot a 3-under-par 68 on Friday to maintain a one-shot lead at 12 under. The young golfer is considered one of the best players to have never won a major championship, and he is halfway to potentially changing that narrative.
The second round was not completed before darkness due to a delay at the start of the morning because of a fatal accident that caused a road closure leading to the course. Eighteen golfers will need to finish their round on Saturday morning before the field is repaired for the third round. Collin Morikawa is hot on Schauffele’s heels after shooting a 6-under 65 and finishing one shot behind at 11 under. Sahith Theegala is also in contention at 10 under.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler had a turbulent day, facing legal issues that delayed his tee time. Despite the setback, Scheffler managed to shoot a 66 and is tied at 9 under with Thomas Detry, Mark Hubbard, and Bryson DeChambeau. Other notable players in the mix include Viktor Hovland, Austin Eckroat, and Tony Finau at 8 under. However, the cut is expected to be 1 under par, with several big names potentially missing out on the weekend.
Schauffele started strong with four birdies in his first 10 holes but made his first bogey on the 11th before finishing with seven straight pars. Morikawa made a late charge with five birdies in a row on the back nine, making it the longest birdie streak of his major championship career. Scheffler’s day was marked by off-course distractions, but he managed to stay in contention with a solid performance on the course.
The PGA Championship has seen some impressive golf so far, with notable players like Jon Rahm, Adam Scott, Phil Mickelson, and Tiger Woods likely to miss the cut. The leaderboard is packed with talented golfers vying for the title, setting the stage for an exciting weekend of golf. As the tournament progresses, the competition is expected to intensify, with players looking to make their mark on one of golf’s biggest stages.
In summary, Xander Schauffele’s strong performance has put him in the driver’s seat at the PGA Championship, but he faces stiff competition from players like Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala. With the cut looming and several big names on the bubble, the weekend promises to deliver thrilling golf action. As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on the leaders as they battle for the coveted PGA Championship title.
