Scheffler two behind Morikawa after early-morning arrest
Scottie Scheffler shook off an early-morning arrest and police altercation to move into contention at a rainy PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky on Friday where he finished two shots behind second-round clubhouse leader Collin Morikawa.
On a day unlike any other in his career, world number one Scheffler was arrested on four charges, including second degree assault of a police officer, after what he said was a “big misunderstanding” as he tried to enter Valhalla Golf Club.
Scheffler, seeking his fifth win in six starts, carded a five-under-par 66 to get to nine under and hot on the heels of Morikawa (65).
Overnight leader Xander Schauffele, whose nine-under-par 62 in the opening round tied the major championship record, went out with the late starters as the rain stopped and reached the turn at three under on the day.
Despite the chaos, Scheffler looked as calm as ever during his round which he began with a birdie at the par-five 10th hole where his third shot from 97 yards settled three feet from the hole.
The Masters champion went bogey-birdie over his next two holes, carded three birdies over a five-hole stretch around the turn before nearly holing out for birdie at the par-four fifth. Scheffler added another late birdie.
Morikawa, who started on the back nine, caught fire at the par-four fourth, his 13th hole of the day, where he made the first of five consecutive birdies — the longest streak of his major championship career — to grab control.
Lone bogey
The twice major champion made his lone bogey at the final hole, which dropped him to 11 under and one shot shy of the PGA Championship record for lowest score in relation to par through 36 holes set by Brooks Koepka in 2019.
“Just kept it in front of myself, and look, I’ve been putting great so far since Augusta, so it’s nice to just kind of keep that trend going,” said Morikawa.
“Hit a few good close shots, few wedge shots, take advantage of the short holes, the par-5s and for the most part didn’t really make any big errors, other than the last hole, just that approach shot.”
Mark Hubbard (68) and Belgian Thomas Detry (67) were in the clubhouse level with Scheffler while Austin Eckorat (67) was a further shot back.
Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, bidding to win his first major in a decade, was one of seven players four shots off the lead after the first round and went out with the late starters and was even par through six holes.
Defending champion Koepka, who was five shots off the pace after the first round, also went out late and looking to inch closer to becoming the event’s first repeat winner since he successfully defended the title in 2019. Koepka was one under through six holes.
Tiger Woods, who opened with a one-over-par 72, also went out in the afternoon but was sitting well outside the projected one-under-par cut line.
Woods made a rough start to the second round and reached the turn in five-over 40 after a front nine that include two triple-bogeys, a bogey and two birdies.
The start of the second round was delayed 80 minutes after a worker with one of the tournament vendors was killed after being struck by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club.
“This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones,” the PGA of America said in a statement.
