Maverick McNealy and Alex Smalley are atop the leaderboard at the US PGA Championship. Rory McIlroy is in contention as he aims for his seventh major title. The second day made it clear that Aronimink is a course for smart-thinking golfers who adapt quickly.
McNealy and Smalley Lead a Bunched Leaderboard
McNealy, who once considered snubbing golf for a business career, sits alongside Smalley. The leaderboard features some surprising names. Max Greyserman, Stephan Jaeger, and Aldrich Potgieter are also near the top. Chris Gotterup, Hideki Matsuyama and Min Woo Lee are also in form.
Fifteen players are within two strokes of the lead. This is the third-highest total after two rounds.
McIlroy Bounces Back After Disappointing Start
McIlroy demonstrated his ability to reconfigure and recover with one of only two bogey-free rounds. He shot a three-under 67, leaving him one over par and five shots behind the leaders. McIlroy’s pre-tournament prediction of smashing his driver as far as he could proved wide of the mark in the opening round.
McIlroy said it was a day to get back into the tournament and that’s what he managed to do. Given the volatile nature of this tournament, McIlroy knows the value of his unflustered round.
Scheffler, Rahm, and Spieth in Pursuit
World number one Scottie Scheffler is in a group on two under par. Cameron Young and Ludvig Aberg are also at two under par. Jon Rahm is one under.
Jordan Spieth is alongside McIlroy at one over. Spieth is aiming to finally end a nine-year wait to complete the career Grand Slam.
- McNealy and Smalley lead at -4
- Matsuyama, Gotterup, Potgieter, Jaeger, Lee and Greyserman are at -3
- Scheffler, Young, Thomas and Aberg are at -2
A host of superstars are eager to pounce at the weekend. The majority of the world’s leading players were left befuddled and bemused by a punishing course set-up.