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:
Another miss for Kim
Kim -6 (8*)
The South Korean has had a really good look at a couple of birdie putts in the last few holes. On both occasions, he’s just missed on the high side but he’ll take encouragement from his iron play so far today.
Noren on the charge
Noren -6 (9)
Plenty of movement from those beneath Schauffele, with the Swede the latest to join an increasingly large pack at six under. A great putt, too.
Elsewhere, Kim and Morikawa pass up on good birdie chances to move to -7.
Hubbard within one
Hubbard -8 (3*)
A great start for the American gets even better as he makes his second birdie of the day to move within one of Schauffele at the top of the board.
Great effort from Scheffler
Scheffler -5 (5*), Clark E (5*), Harman E (5*)
Not his finest tee shot into the par-3 14th, his ball leaking out to the left. Still, it’s a good spot to miss in and a great roll with the putter from Scheffler which just misses on the right side. That’ll be an easy par.
Harman and Clark both make par as well, the latter doing so impressively after a poor tee shot prior.
What are the bookies saying?
Despite all the drama that has gone on surrounding Scheffler this morning, the World No.1 has looked largely like his usual self out there.
And the bookies still reckon he’s got a great chance of winning his second successive major. Here’s a look at the latest live odds:
- Xander Schauffele – 11/5
- Rory McIlroy – 19/5
- Scottie Scheffler – 19/5
- Collin Morikawa – 11/1
- Brooks Koepka – 12/1
- Tony Finau – 18/1
Odds courtesy of BetMGM.
Chip in from Min Woo
Lee -2 (7*)
The charismatic Aussie has already chipped in once today but, this time, holes a remarkable one from a hill-side lie in the rough. The ball clatters the pin but somehow drops and he moves to -2 for the tournament.
Another hole out for Min Woo Lee!
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 17, 2024
That's his third birdie on the day 🐦⬛#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/9SCDSSPi1R
Scheffler misses out
Scheffler -5 (4*), Clark E (4*), Harman E (4*)
Another great iron into the green from Scheffler but he just leaves the birdie putt out to the left side. A bit of work still to do to tidy up his par...no problem. Good two-putt.
Harman just misses out, too, with his birdie attempt but Clark is scrambling to save his par after an errant wedge into the green. His par save goes by and that will be his first bogey of the day.
Hubbard into solo second
Hubbard -7 (1*)
There’s a big-name feel to the top of this leaderboard at the minute but one man sneaking under the radar is American Mark Hubbard who moves into solo second after taking care of the par-5 10th.
Great response from Scheffler
Scheffler -5 (3*), Clark -1 (3*), Harman E (3*)
Goodness me. Simply relentless from Scheffler. A bogey at the 11th but he responds in emphatic style, pouring in a 26-footer for birdie to get back to -5.
The crowd are right behind him as he heads off the green.
Detry and Morikawa making moves
Detry -6 (4), Morikawa -6 (4*)
The task for anyone in this morning wave is to try and get up as close to Schauffele as possible before the American tees it up later in the afternoon.
Belgian’s Thomas Detry is making a good fist of that as he pours in a birdie to get to -6. And there he’s joined by Collin Morikawa who is looking to back up his impressive display at last month’s Masters.
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