As for the US PGA Championship, nothing really tops the sight of Scotty Scheffler donning a prison jumpsuit during the second round at Valhalla. But honestly, the return of this major brought its own share of drama.
Quazur Hollow didn’t feel like a typical venue for a major, more like Rory’s personal playground. Fresh off his Masters victory, Rory McIlroy started strong but ended up at 3 over 74. It certainly wasn’t in line with anyone’s expectations. Luke Donald, McIlroy’s Ryder Cup captain, had last appeared in a major back in 2013, where he shot a 67, emphasizing the point that seasoned players sometimes rise to the occasion, even in major tournaments that seem suited only for the big hitters.
Debuting at the US PGA, Ryan Gerald, ranked 81st in the world, surged to the top of the leaderboard, going 7 under. Despite a couple of holes where he faced challenges, his score of 66 tied him with Cam Davis. Jonattan Vegas came in hot with a 65 after hitting birdies on the last few holes. Taking into account Matt Fitzpatrick’s 68 and the struggles of others like York Sileman, it was another day filled with surprises—who knows what tomorrow will hold?
Celebrating a potential career grand slam, McIlroy also has the chance to make some psychological adjustments in this new chapter of his impressive career. It’s a moment for him to reflect on his performance throughout this tournament. The technical issues he faced, particularly back in Northern Ireland, weren’t unique; he only hit four out of 14 fairways. On courses where long drives matter, that puts you at a disadvantage, and nothing else in McIlroy’s game could compensate—like his 31 putts.
Initially, things looked promising. He birdied his first 10 holes, landing him quickly among the top players. By 10:30 AM, 13 players were tied at minus 3.
However, McIlroy struggled on the 11th with multiple putts and missed a short birdie on the 14th. The next two holes changed the course of his day. He faced trouble on the drive and, while he managed to recover and gain some shots on the 15th, it was a tough round overall. Meanwhile, both Scheffler and Xander Schauffele scored an impressive 18 on the par 4.
Surprisingly, McIlroy’s double bogey at Quail Hollow was his first since 2010—a bit scary, really. Those bogeys piled up quickly, though he didn’t let it get to him completely. His post-round decision to head to the practice area tells a story of its own. He knows that to contend, he needs to find his rhythm again, especially with Scheffler’s 69 casting a shadow over the rest of the field.
Other players, like Donald, managed to outscore Scheffler. Though he won’t feature in the upcoming European events at Bethpage in September, there’s still something significant about him being here. Many forget that Donald once held the title of the world’s top-ranked golfer.
“Someone mentioned it was my lowest first round in a major since 2004,” Donald shared. “I wouldn’t be here otherwise, given my role as captain of the European Ryder Cup team. It’s quite the perk.”
Fitzpatrick’s place in the world rankings is surprising, especially considering how he soared after winning the 2022 US Open. Last year was particularly tough for him, which likely explained his instinctive reaction after the round.
“It was really hard,” Fitzpatrick noted about his struggles. “No matter how often you remind yourself of your past successes, stepping onto the course can feel overwhelming. Your shots just end up going everywhere.”
“This is the worst I’ve played in a long time,” he continued. “I felt more inclined to focus on soccer than golf today. It’s a challenge.”
Gerald’s connection to the venue is special; he attended university nearby. “I feel really at home here,” he said. “There’s a lot of familiar faces around. I’ve practiced on this course plenty, which certainly prepared me.”
“I’ve been floating around the 15-30 range for a while now,” he added. “It’s not terrible, but I really want to push forward.”
Robert McIntyre’s 68 was well-received; Ryan Fox, fresh off a PGA Tour win, matched Donald’s score. Phil Mickelson spoke candidly about his “difficult day,” managing a 79 and finding himself in seventh place. Once a mainstay in these events, Brooks Koepka has stumbled into an over par situation—it raises questions about whether the changed landscape of Liv Golf has benefitted him or not.
