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:
Scheffler still hanging around
If I’d had the day Scottie Scheffler has had, I’d probably be in bed by now. But, then again, I’m not a two-time major champion.
The World No.1 has remained on site after the round to get some practice in and even made time to sign some autographs for some young fans. A true role model.
Scottie Scheffler is back out this afternoon for some practice and autographs pic.twitter.com/YF5SxHGrMx
— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) May 17, 2024
Schauffele hits the front
Schauffele -12 (9), Thomas -5 (9), Aberg +1 (9)
Morikawa briefly took the lead from him but Schauffele is back on top as he finds another birdie on the par-4 ninth. A stress-free back nine for the American who looks brimming with confidence.
Thomas leaves his birdie effort short and has to settle for par, as does Aberg.
Birdie for MacIntyre
MacIntyre -7 (7*)
The Scotsman said he was starting to feel at home on the PGA Tour after returning home to visit his family. A good display at the Myrtle Beach Classic has given him momentum this week and he’s flying at Valhalla, pouring in his third birdie of the day to get up to -7 for the tournament.
DeCheambeau in the mood
DeChambeau -6 (5)
Three in a row for the man they call the ‘mad scientist’. He certainly plays the game differently than most but it’s working for the former US Open champion who finds his third birdie in as many holes to move into a tie for 10th on -6.
Back-to-back birdies for Woods
Woods +6 (8)
Well, well, well. You can just never count him out. Tiger rolls one in on the seventh before almost producing a stupendous ace at the next hole, the par-3 eighth.
It’s a simple tap-in for a second successive birdie and that gets him back to +6. Still a hell of a long way to go to make the cut.
WOW!
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 17, 2024
Tiger Woods nearly ACES the 8th hole! 🐯#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/RU2DMW3VyJ
Birdie for Aberg
Schauffele -11 (8), Thomas -5 (8), Aberg +1 (8)
It’s been a quiet week for the Swede, who is nursing a knee injury, having finished runner-up in his major debut at last month’s Masters. Still, a birdie at the eighth increases his chances of making the weekend.
Thomas and Schauffele settle for pars as this trio nears the turn.
Scottie Scheffler: I was shaking in ‘shock and fear’ after arrest at US PGA
Scottie Scheffler has spoken of his shock, confusion and fear after being arrested on his way to the US PGA Championship on a surreal and tragic Friday morning.
Scheffler was detained by Louisville Metro Police after trying to drive into the golf club in heavy traffic caused by an earlier unrelated accident in which a pedestrian died after being struck by a shuttle bus.
Tournament officials said they were “devastated” by the death of local man John Mills, who was working for an on-site vendor at Valhalla.
Scheffler, the world number one, faces charges of second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.
Scottie Scheffler: I was shaking in ‘shock and fear’ after arrest at US PGA
Scheffler went on to shoot a remarkable second round of 66 at Valhalla.
Bogey for McIlroy
McIlroy -5 (6)
Rory, meanwhile, takes a backwards step at the wrong time after he’s out of position off the tee. He can’t get up down from the greenside fairway to save his par and he drops back to -5 where he started the day.
Schauffele ties lead
Schauffele -11 (7), Thomas -5 (7)
Unflappable golf from Schauffele so far who has made no bogeys and finds his second birdie at the seventh to move back into the lead alongside Morikawa.
His playing partner Thomas finds another birdie, too, to give the home fans something to cheer about. The 2022 PGA Champion is up to -5.
Fast start for Finau
Finau -8 (3), Theegala -7 (3)
Both playing together, both playing well. Two birdies in the opening two for Finau to reach -8, while Theegala knocks in one at the third to get himself up and running for the day.
Both of these two will want to go on a charge and get up and around Morikawa.
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