Scottie Scheffler has done what he does best in round two of the PGA Championship to move within three shots of the lead and the world number one has admitted that even he was left taken aback by some of his play.
Scheffler made the most of easier conditions around Quail Hollow to build on his two-under opening round to move onto five-under overall with a well put together 68.
It means that Scheffler is breathing down the necks of a few above, which includes a resurgent Max Homa.
Indeed, it was a show from Scheffler that proved why he is world number one and while playing partners Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele had to battle, he cruised to his score.
Indeed, speaking to the media about where his golf game is right now, Scheffler was quick to point out how he had been surprised by a few shots.
Scottie Scheffler gives verdict on his golf game after two rounds of the PGA Championship
Asked specifically about where his game is and if he feels he had played himself into the tournament, Scheffler admitted things were indeed trending the right way.
“Yeah, I think on the course in difficult setups like this, in major championships, you know you’re going to run into some bumps in the road, and there’s going to be challenges out there. It’s all about how you bounce back from them,” Scheffler said.
“I didn’t really feel like I made very many good swings today until probably the 14th hole, and I was able to kind of put some stuff together coming down the stretch. I bounced back really well I felt like most of the day.
“I missed a fairly short birdie putt on 10. Came back, made a really nice par putt on the next hole. I hit a really poor iron shot on 13, made my first bogey of the day. Bounced back with two birdies right after that. So just did a good job of staying in the moment, not letting the mistakes get to me, and kind of just grinding out a decent round of golf.”
Asked specifically about his shot selection and how free he’s started to swing, Scheffler admitted he was caught out by a few elements of the course.
“I mean, yeah, I’d say that’s a pretty good observation. I wasn’t far off the fairway to start the day. Besides the 1st hole; I was like way off the fairway. Besides that, I was at least close to the fairway.
“It just felt like a couple bounces here and there. My tee shot on three bounced a little left. Tee ball on seven bounced a little left. Five, I was surprised how far it went.
“So I was close out there. It was just I didn’t give myself as many opportunities as I would have liked to early in the round, but I was still able to shoot under par on the front nine. I kept a clean card, made some nice up-and-downs. Overall, I was pleased with the score I posted today.”
Scottie Scheffler is now the man to beat at the PGA Championship
While he might not be leading and he is still three back of the in-form Jonathan Vegas at the top, it’s impossible not to put Scottie Scheffler as the favourite now.
He has crept into contention without even being at his best and over a tough weekend to come, you can just picture him getting the lead and not letting go.
Of course, golf can throw up anything and it might well change.
But Scheffler looks like he’s getting into his groove and with a number of big hitters nowhere near him, he might well be in cruise control over the weekend as he edges towards another big win.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
