Scottie Scheffler Shoots 62 to Take Five-Shot Lead at PGA Championship After Second Round

Scottie Scheffler produced a bogey-free masterclass at Valhalla Golf Club today, firing a stunning 8-under-par 62 to seize a commanding five-shot lead after the second round of the PGA Championship. The world number one was in complete control throughout his round, hitting 16 of 18 greens in regulation while converting eight birdie opportunities to reach 13-under-par for the tournament and put himself in prime position to capture his second major championship.

Scheffler's round was a clinic in precision and course management, as he consistently found fairways with his driver and attacked pins with confidence throughout the challenging Louisville layout. His iron play was particularly exceptional, as he repeatedly left himself with makeable birdie putts while avoiding the trouble that has claimed several big names over the first two days. "I felt really comfortable with my distances today, and when you're hitting it close, the putts start to fall," Scheffler said after signing his scorecard. "This golf course rewards good iron play, and I was able to execute my game plan perfectly."

The highlight of Scheffler's round came at the par-5 10th hole, where he hit a towering 4-iron from 238 yards to within eight feet of the pin before rolling in the eagle putt to extend his lead. The shot demonstrated the kind of ball-striking excellence that has made him the world's top-ranked player, as he shaped the ball perfectly around the trees and landed it softly on the green. His eagle was the culmination of a back-nine charge that saw him play his final nine holes in 5-under-par, including consecutive birdies on holes 12, 13, and 14.

The leaderboard behind Scheffler features a mix of established stars and emerging talent, with Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele tied for second place at 8-under-par after rounds of 67 and 66 respectively. McIlroy showed flashes of his major championship form with a solid ball-striking display, while Schauffele continued his consistent play that has made him one of golf's most reliable performers in big events. "Scottie is playing incredible golf right now, but there's still a lot of golf left to be played," McIlroy noted. "I need to stay patient and keep making birdies, because he's not going to back down."

Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka sit in a tie for fourth place at 7-under-par, both within striking distance if Scheffler shows any signs of vulnerability over the weekend. Rahm bounced back from an opening-round 71 with an impressive 64 that featured seven birdies and just one bogey, while Koepka showed his major championship pedigree with another steady round that keeps him in contention. The Spaniard was particularly pleased with his putting, which had been a weakness in recent tournaments but was much improved on Valhalla's challenging greens.

Scheffler enters the weekend as the clear favorite to claim his second major title, though he knows the importance of maintaining his excellent form against a field that includes multiple major champions capable of mounting charges. The weather forecast calls for ideal scoring conditions over the weekend, which could lead to low numbers if players can match Scheffler's precision with their approach shots. "I need to stay focused on my process and not worry about what anyone else is doing," Scheffler reflected. "This golf course can bite you if you get ahead of yourself, so I'll just try to execute one shot at a time."

Saturday's third round will begin with Scheffler paired alongside McIlroy in the final group, setting up what promises to be a compelling battle between two of golf's biggest stars. The Northern Irishman will be looking to apply pressure early and force Scheffler into making some difficult decisions, while the American will aim to extend his lead and put the championship within reach heading into Sunday's final round. With ideal conditions expected and the world's best players chasing, the weekend promises to deliver the kind of high-quality golf that makes the PGA Championship one of the sport's premier events.