The 107th PGA Championship is proving to be a test of skill and resilience at Quail Hollow, where the cutline fluctuated throughout Friday afternoon before settling at 143, allowing 74 players to advance to the weekend. The field includes prominent golfers like Scottie Scheffler, the world number one and current betting favorite, who is currently within the top 10, unlike his fellow top competitors Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele, who narrowly made the cut.
With the leaderboard featuring a competitive middle-tier, Scheffler is seen as a strong contender for the Wannamaker Trophy. His only rival who notably shined is Bryson DeChambeau, who’s tied for 17th after carding a 68 on Friday. Heading into the weekend, DeChambeau and Scheffler are just a few strokes behind the 36-hole leader, Jonattan Vegas, who experienced a setback with a double bogey on the final hole of the round.
The conditions of the course are being managed strategically as the tournament progresses. Unlike the first two rounds, where all players competed in a full field, the weekend format will see them play in twosomes, which could lead to a more dynamic game. It’s important to note that the playing conditions have been pivotal, especially putting performance, which has influenced the leaderboard significantly.
Among the golfers to keep an eye on are Matt Fitzpatrick, who is ranked highly in putting stats and has shown promise with his recent performances, and Max Homa, who has a history of success at Quail Hollow, having claimed his first PGA TOUR victory here in 2019.
As the final rounds approach, there are 26 players within five strokes of the lead, indicating a highly competitive finish is in sight. The excitement continues with the third round set to kick off at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, and the top pairings hitting the course later in the afternoon.
This championship not only showcases the talent present in the field but also emphasizes the unpredictable nature of golf, ensuring that anything can happen as the tournament progresses.