PGA Championship 2024: Xander Schauffele leads after Scottie Scheffler plays on despite arrest
The Masters champion described his arrest outside Valhalla as a ‘big misunderstanding’ as he returned to shoot a five-under 66 and keep himself in contention at the halfway stage
Xander Schauffele maintained a slender lead at the halfway stage of the PGA Championship after a day dominated by the chaotic arrest of Scottie Scheffler in the early hours of Friday morning at Valhalla.
The American had been attempting to make his way to the course ahead of the start of the second round, but was stopped by police over what he later called “a big misunderstanding”.
Scheffler was placed in handcuffs and arrested, before being charged by the Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections, with the second round pushed back by an hour and 20 minutes due to the fatal accident.
The 27-year-old was later released by police and produced a sparkling five-under-par 66 to remain in contention for his second major in as many months. The World No.1 sits three shots back of Schauffele who fired a three-under 69 to set the clubhouse lead at -12.
Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa and fellow American Sahith Theegala sit in contention at -11 and -10 respectively but Rory McIlroy’s bid to end his decade-long major drought stuttered after a disappointing even-par round.
Relive all the action from the second round of the PGA Championship below:
Birdie finish for Rory
McIlroy -5 (71)
Like Woods, McIlroy finishes with a birdie at the par-5 18th. It’s a nice ending to what has otherwise been a thoroughly frustrating day for the Northern Irishman.
A level-par 71 is fine, but in the contest of this PGA Championship, where the scores are low, it’s a massive backward step. He’ll likely start tomorrow seven shots back of the lead and in need of an incredible weekend display if he’s to end his major drought at Valhalla.
Woods ends with a birdie
Woods +7 (77)
Not the week Tiger had in mind but the 15-time major champion at least gives the fans something to cheer about at the last, whisking up some short-game magic from the rough before knocking in a birdie putt at the last.
It’s a six-over-par 77 but the damage was done in the first few holes on Friday when the American went seven over par through his first four holes. Who knows what the future holds for him now, but the fans in Louisville certainly enjoyed seeing him out here this week.
Not happening for McIlroy as Wallace finishes strong
McIlroy -4 (17), Wallace -7 (65)
Just like Schauffele, McIlroy has just not holed a putt in these closing stages. An eagle almost feels like a must at this par-5 18th if he’s to have any chance in this tournament heading into the weekend. Even then, it feels unlikely.
One person who has got himself into a great spot is England’s Matt Wallace who rounds off his round with a par on the ninth. A six-under-par 65 has him sitting pretty heading into the weekend.
Schauffele sets the clubhouse lead
Schauffele -12 (68), Thomas -6 (67), Aberg E (70)
The birdie putt passes Xander by and so has the latter part of that back nine. A three-under-par 68 has done him no disservice and he still currently holds a one-shot lead heading into Saturday, but he must surely recognise that he missed some big chances to extend his lead and take full control of this championship.
Thomas, meanwhile, settles for a par and a good round of 67 but he remains six shots back of Schauffele, while it’s a missed cut for Aberg after his runner-up at the Masters last month. He’s been nursing a knee injury that forced him to withdraw from last week’s Wells Fargo Championship so you have to suspect that played a part.
Trouble for Schauffele
Schauffele -12 (17)
Not the way the leader would have wanted to end his round, that is for sure. A wild second shot nestles down in the thick, greenside rough and Schauffele can only hack it out onto the green but, without spin, it races past the hole.
One last chance to salvage a birdie.
Koepka still hunting
Koepka -8 (15)
Since the double bogey at the tenth, Koepka has found three birdies in his next five holes and is right back in the thick of it.
His latest comes on the 15th after a perfectly controlled wedge leaves him just over 11 feet, which he duly converts.
Bounce-back birdie for Finau
Finau -8 (13)
A hearty response from the American, finding the bottom of the cup from around 25 feet to get a birdie back after that awful double bogey the hole prior.
Lip out for Schauffele
Schauffele -12 (17)
The leader just can’t buy a putt at the minute! A superb approach into his penultimate hole affords him a great look at birdie again but this one lips out on the right side. A slight look of frustration etches itself across his face - he’s missed an opportunity over the last hour to really stamp his authority on this tournament.
Steady from Schauffele
Schauffele -12 (16)
It’s solid stuff again from Schauffele who two-putts an outside look at birdie for another par - his fifth in a row. It’s not been exhilarating but he’s maintained his hold on this tournament with two holes to play in his second round.
Birdie for Theegala; Finau falls back
Theegala -10 (12), Finau -7 (12)
The difficult 12th claims a victim in the form of Finau who inexplicably three-putts from close range after a poor chip to leave himself walking off the green with a double-bogey six. A nightmare for the American.
His playing partner Theegala, meanwhile, has a far better time of it and gets back to -10 after that dropped shot at the tenth. He’s not going away.
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