Scottie Scheffler leads at PGA Championship; McIlroy fights back

Scottie Scheffler led the chasing pack at the PGA Championship and Rory McIlroy battled back into contention as Aronimink proved to be a brutal test. At the halfway stage of the season's second major, the golfers faced unexpected challenges on the course in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Initially, the course appeared straightforward, with Rory McIlroy suggesting on Tuesday that players could simply drive the ball without intricate strategy. However, after two tough rounds with modest scoring, this perception shifted to one of frustration, bogeys, and notable struggles, including Bryson DeChambeau's performance, finishing at seven over par despite a late surge of three birdies.

Alex Smalley and Maverick McNealy set the pace at four under par, while key players Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young, Justin Thomas, and Ludvig Aberg remained within striking distance at two under. Jon Rahm followed one shot behind, while McIlroy managed to finish at one over par after improving from his opening round of 74. Scheffler recorded a one-over 71 during this challenging second day.

The course's demanding nature was underscored by the combination of roughs reminiscent of a US Open, inclement weather akin to an Open Championship, and greens leading to several three-putts, contrasting with the conditions at Augusta National. Scheffler voiced concerns over the pin placements, describing some as 'absurd' while reflecting on their difficulty. Specifically, he referred to the challenging nature of the 14th hole where his fellow competitor Matt Fitzpatrick faced a double bogey due to four-putting.

Slightly critical yet not quite labeling the setup as 'unfair,' Scheffler pointed out the extreme difficulty established by the course setup amid wind speeds adding to the challenge. The strategic placement of the flags, especially near steep slopes, encouraged more conservative approaches rather than adventurous shots, leading to hope for a more balanced test of golf as the weekend approached.