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:
Close from Hubbard
Hubbard -8 (8*)
The American has been plugging away nicely since those two early birdies and almost joins Schauffele in a share of the lead. It’s a great long-range birdie effort but it just misses on the right side.
Still, an opportunity coming up at the par-5 18th.
Fans seeing the funny side
Scheffler’s dramatic arrest earlier today certainly has produced its fair share of creative shirts out at Valhalla today:
The fans came prepared for #FreeScottie pic.twitter.com/ZVKdvVlcU7
— Adam Schupak (@AdamSchupak) May 17, 2024
Crowded at the top
Eckroat -7 (10)
Austin Eckroat, who won for the first time on the PGA Tour earlier this year, joins the group at -7 as he pours in his fourth birdie in a row.
Meanwhile, the rain only appears to be getting stronger out there in Louisville which won’t be very pleasing for those heading out in the later wave.
Scheffler moves within three
Scheffler -6 (9*), Clark E (9*), Harman -3 (9*)
Remarkably steady golf from Scheffler, as we’ve become accustomed to, but no mean feat after morning he had. A great approach into the 18th allows him to knock in another birdie to get up to -6 for the tournament.
Harman and Clark follow suit, the Open Champion, in particular, is putting together a fine round.
This group started on the back nine so they’ll head to the first tee for their second nine holes.
Rahm back on the cut line
Rahm E (9*)
A double bogey on the eighth sinks the Spaniard back down the leaderboard and right on the projected cut line. With soft conditions, it may well be the case that the cut line moves up so Rahm could do with some birdies in the second nine here.
Raining birdies
English -7 (13*)
In an instant, there are three players tied for third at -7. Harris English, who hasn’t won since 2021, finds back-to-back birdies to get up to -7. He’s four under par for the day so far.
Morikawa into third
Morikawa -7 (9*), Noren -7 (12)
The two-time major champion takes care of the par-5 18th, knocking in another birdie to move out of the pack at -6 and into third on seven under par.
He’s joined there by Alex Noren who missed a tiddler a few holes prior but pours one in on the 12th to get to just two back off Schauffele.
Harman on a roll
Scheffler -5 (7*), Clark +1 (7*), Harman -2 (7*)
A big part of Harman’s superb Open championship run was his strength with the putter, and the American is just starting to catch fire as he pours another one in for consecutive birdies.
Scheffler gives himself another great look after a stellar iron approach but his birdie putt somehow hangs out to the left side. A par for him and for Clark, who recovers well after a wild tee shot.
Birdie for Harman
Scheffler -5 (6*), Clark +1 (6*), Harman -1 (6*)
An excellent approach shot from the Open Champion allows him to get up into the red for the first time today. Meanwhile, Clark is going in the wrong direction as another bogey sees him drop to +1 for the tournament.
Scheffler’s approach is tugged left and leaves him with no more than an outside look at birdie. An easy two-putt par in the end for the World No.1.
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