Xander Schauffele held a slim lead at the midway point of the PGA Championship after a day dominated by the chaotic arrest of Scottie Schauffler in the early hours of Friday morning at Valhalla.
The American was trying to make his way to the track before the start of the second round, but the police stopped him due to what he later described as a “big misunderstanding.”
Scheffler was placed in handcuffs and arrested, before being charged by the Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections, with the second round postponed for an hour and 20 minutes due to the fatal incident.
The 27-year-old was later released by police and he produced a five-under-par 66 to remain in contention for his second major in as many months. The world number one is three shots behind Schauffele, who shot a three-under 69 to put the club lead at -12.
Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa and fellow American Sahith Thegalla are competing on -11 and -10 respectively, but Rory McIlroy’s bid to end a decade-long major drought faltered after a disappointing even round.
Relive all the action from the second round of the PGA Championship below:
Scottie Scheffler: I was shaking with “shock and fear” after the arrest at the US PGA
Scottie Scheffler spoke 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 arrested by Louisville Metro Police after trying to drive to 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 worked for a vendor at the site in Valhalla.
Schaeffler, ranked first in the world, faces charges of second-degree assault on a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and ignoring traffic signals from an officer directing traffic.
Ben FlemingMay 18, 2024 at 02:30
Leaderboards
-9: Scheffler, Detry, Hubbard, DeChambeau
-8: Hovland, Ekroat, Finau
-7: Koepka, McIntyre, Matsuyama, Wallace, English
Ben FlemingMay 18, 2024 at 02:05
Play is suspended
Darkness has called a halt to second round matches at the PGA Championship, meaning many will have to return tomorrow morning to finish their rounds.
Despite this, DeChambeau quickly finished his final hole with a par to enter the clubhouse at -9. An impressive six-under-par 65 from a LIV golfer that can’t be ignored this weekend.
Ben FlemingMay 18, 2024 01:52
A ghost ending for MacIntyre
A true finish goal for the only Scot in the field as he finished with two bogeys to drop out of the top ten. It’s a hard putt from a downhill lie that races across the hole and he’s unable to return the putt up the slope to save par.
However, it was a productive day and he is still on course for a great finish before the weekend.
Ben FlemingMay 18, 2024 01:46
Thegalla in contention
Thigala -10 (67), Finau -8 (69)
A wild shot from Theegala thwarted his attempt to close in birdie but it was a brilliant round from the American who was in the thick of it. Meanwhile, Finau displays some great touch in the short game to enable him to finish with a birdie and get back to -8.
A topsy-turvy ride for him, but don’t rule him out just yet.
Ben FlemingMay 18, 2024 01:43
Koepka finishes with a birdie
The upside-down round ends with a birdie at the end for Koepka. It could have been much better for the defending champion, but a series of missed short shots meant he had to settle for a three-under-par 68 that left him five shots behind Schauffele at the top of the leaderboard.
Ben FlemingMay 18, 2024 at 01:39
Late bogey of McIntyre
The Scot tries to hold on to that closing run but is making life difficult for himself. He’s dramatically out of position on the seventh hole, but somehow gets up and down the thick hole to salvage his par.
However, he can’t prevent a shot from falling on the next hole, and is back at -8 when he lands his final shot.
Ben FlemingMay 18, 2024 01:34
Hovland is showing signs of life
A birdie at the end for Hovland and it is an incredibly encouraging display in the second round from the Norwegian who has jumped into contention after such a disappointing start to the season.
Ben FlemingMay 18, 2024 01:24
Consecutive bogeys for Koepka
The defending champion’s problems with the racket continue. The bogey at 16 is doubled by another bogey at 17, the latter thanks to a terrible short miss.
On another day, Koepka could have shot a six-under par and been at it, but his shot let him down big time. He’ll love a bird eventually.
Ben FlemingMay 18, 2024 01:13
Birdie finishes Rory
Like Woods, McIlroy finished with a birdie on the par-5 18th. It’s a nice end to what has been a very frustrating day for the Northern Irishman.
A par of 71 is good, but in this PGA Championship competition, where scores are low, it’s a big step backward. He will likely start tomorrow seven shots off the pace and needs a stunning display at the weekend if he is to end his major drought at Valhalla.
Ben FlemingMay 18, 2024 01:07
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