During the second round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, Justin Thomas raised concerns over a pace-of-play warning issued to his group. The challenging weather conditions, including gusting winds and tricky greens, contributed to a slow start on Friday morning, with many players taking over five and a half hours to complete their rounds.
PGA Championship Pace of Play Controversy
Thomas, along with his playing partners Keegan Bradley and Cameron Young, faced scrutiny from a rules official about their pace. Although they were placed on the clock, this situation was soon reverted as Thomas concluded his round with a score of 69. In discussing the incident, Thomas expressed disbelief regarding the enforcement of the warning.
- Weather Conditions: Wind gusts reached 25 mph, complicating play.
- Time Taken: Many groups, including Thomas’, exceeded five and a half hours for their rounds.
“We were behind, but it’s not that we were holding up the group behind us,” Thomas noted. He also pointed out the complexities of golf that make timing difficult to assess, emphasizing that many external factors influence pace. Both Thomas and Young ended the round at two under par, while Alex Smalley, the morning clubhouse leader, faced a similar situation regarding slow play.
Scheffler’s Criticism of Aronimink Pin Positions
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler lost his share of the lead after struggling with his shots, resulting in a one-over 71. He faced difficulty with fairways and had trouble making putts, totaling less than 50 feet during his round. Scheffler voiced his frustrations over the pin placement at Aronimink, describing some positions as “absurd.” He remarked on how challenging pin locations can dramatically affect scores during the tournament.
- Scheffler’s Performance: Missed six consecutive fairways early in his round.
- Score: Finished with a one-over 71.
- Pin Locations: Criticized for being overly difficult.
Chris Gotterup, having recorded a second-round score of 65, also commented on the course setup. He agreed that while the challenge may not be unfair, certain holes could significantly slow down play. He highlighted hole 14 as particularly aggressive, mentioning the stringent requirements to make birdies in tough conditions.
Implications for PGA Championship Rounds
As the tournament progresses, the conditions at Aronimink Golf Club have sparked debates between players regarding fairness and pace of play. The demanding pin placements and challenging weather forecasted for the weekend may continue to influence player performance and overall scoring. Each factor will be closely observed as participants aim for victories in the upcoming rounds.
