Jhonattan Vegas stays ahead in PGA Championship as Scottie Scheffler looms large

Scottie Scheffler was in the zone during the PGA Championship, unfazed by the star-studded group he was playing with or the leaderboard ahead of him. With a solid swing and a focused mindset, Scheffler managed to stay within striking distance of the leader, Jhonattan Vegas.

After responding to a lone bogey with a pair of birdies, Scheffler expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating, “I like the position I’m in going into the weekend.” His 3-under 68 left him just three shots behind Vegas at Quail Hollow.

Vegas, who had the lead for the first time in a major, didn’t let the pressure get to him. Despite a late stumble with a missed putt on the 18th hole resulting in a double bogey, he managed to maintain a two-shot lead going into the weekend.

The leaderboard was filled with relative newcomers to major championship pressure, including Matthieu Pavon, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Si Woo Kim. Kim made history with an ace on the longest par 3 at Quail Hollow, hitting a 5-wood on the 252-yard sixth hole for the longest hole-in-one in major championship history.

Canadian Taylor Pendrith and Corey Connors also made their mark, with Pendrith tied for 17th at -3 under and Connors tied for 36th at -1.

Defending champion Xander Schauffele narrowly avoided missing the cut, making two crucial birdies in the final seven holes to extend his streak of consecutive cuts made on the PGA Tour to 64, the longest since Tiger Woods.

On the other hand, Rory McIlroy faced struggles with his driver, leading to a decline in driving accuracy and a late scramble to make the cut.

As the competition heated up, Scheffler remained focused on his own game, steadily improving his swing and inching closer to the top of the leaderboard. With a strong finish and key shots down the stretch, Scheffler positioned himself well for the weekend.

While veterans like Phil Mickelson showcased their resilience and determination, newcomers like Vegas had the opportunity to make a name for themselves on the grand stage of a major championship. The pressure was on for these players, but they embraced the challenge with determination and skill.

As the tournament progressed, it became clear that the battle for the Wanamaker Trophy would be fiercely contested. With players like Scheffler, Homa, and a group of newcomers vying for the top spot, the stage was set for an exciting finish to the PGA Championship.