The US PGA Championship is currently in full swing, with Xander Schauffele holding onto his lead as rivals begin to close in during round two. The Californian golfer showcased an impressive nine-under 62 on Friday, setting a new tournament record. Although he carded a more moderate 68 on Saturday, he still managed to improve to 12 under, securing his position at the top of the leaderboard.
Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa led the chase, delivering an incredible round of 65 in rainy conditions early on. Furthermore, world number one Scottie Scheffler put on an impressive performance, shooting a five-under-par 66 and reducing the gap to three shots.
On the contrary, it was a disappointing day for Rory McIlroy, slipping back by seven shots in a 71 with a double bogey. Likewise, Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre reached nine under but slipped to seven under after finishing with successive bogeys.
The weather conditions significantly impacted the game, with even Tiger Woods facing challenges after hitting two triple bogeys in three holes, causing him to miss the cut on seven over par.
With the top 70 players plus ties making the halfway cut, several players needed to finish their second rounds on Saturday. This resulted in potentially eliminating all players not under par, including former world number one Jon Rahm and his Ryder Cup team-mate Ludvig Aberg, who will miss out despite playing at level par.
The tournament faced a delay on Friday when a tragic accident involving a shuttle bus resulted in the death of a pedestrian close to the golf club. Pre-tournament favourite Scheffler also faced issues with the police after being arrested for several charges related to reckless driving.
In challenging weather conditions, Morikawa stood out with his outstanding performance, showcasing his ability to excel in difficult majors. His impressive round featured immaculate approach shots, and he completed an outstanding back nine, setting the clubhouse target.
However, Schauffele remained strong at the top despite a more modest round, while MacIntyre made significant strides on the course. McIlroy’s performance was disappointing, while other players such as DeChambeau and Hovland made impressive moves on the leaderboard.
As the tournament progresses, it remains to be seen who will emerge victorious in the US PGA Championship, with several top contenders vying for the title.