‘I’ve never seen anything like this’: Scottie Scheffler on PGA Championship hopes

Scottie Scheffler has described his emotions heading into tomorrow’s PGA Championship action, bracing for perhaps the most unpredictable day of his career.

The first two days of action at Aronimink paved the way for intense fan discussion regarding the course set-up, prompting frustrated remarks from Scheffler, Mcllroy and others.

The American described Friday’s pin positions as “absurd”, prompting a response from the PGA of America heading into Saturday’s action.

After a series of changes made by the governing body, including moving up a selection of tees and making certain pins more accessible, the course’s new set-up appears to have now, in turn, set up what could be one of golf’s most exciting ever days.

During today’s PGA Championship action, a remarkable 14 different players held at least a share of the lead, and 30 will head into the final day separated by just five shots from the current leader.

A selection of the sport’s heavy-hitters capitalised on the alterations made, notably Mcllroy, who was outside of the Top 100 after Thursday, improved on Friday’s 67 by one to go to three under during Saturday’s leaderboard battle.

Scheffler cannot believe the PGA Championship leaderboard

Elsewhere, the American failed to strike as hot as his Irish rival, crumbling to a 71 and heading into Sunday five adrift from current leader and fellow American Alex Smalley.

Speaking after a less than ideal performance that saw the 29-year-old miss a selection of favourable short putts, Scheffler said: “I’ve never seen anything like this. I think it’s just the nature of a lot of different things, but I’ve never seen a leaderboard like this, this bunched up.

“Going into tomorrow’s tournament, it’s quite literally anybody’s tournament. There’s a lot of guys that have a chance. Somebody is going to have a great round, and I’m going to make sure to do my best to give myself my best shot at being [that person],” he continued.

Scheffler, winner of last year’s PGA Championship, shot a 65 during his previous tournament-winning Saturday, but knows the leaderboard still makes it anybody’s contest.

Mcllroy will look to secure a successive Masters defence after last month’s win, by prevailing for a third time in the US PGA.

Elsewhere, Jon Rahm is two off the lead as he looks for his third major win in the quest for the career Grand Slam — having previously won the 2021 US Open and the 2023 Masters — while Englishman Justin Rose hopes to secure a second major victory.

The PGA Championship hasn’t seen an English winner in over 100 years, dating back to its inception in 1916, and Rose is joined by fellow countryman Aaron Rai in their quest to make history.

Scottie Scheffler will take to Aronimink in tomorrow’s championship battle, positioned in 24th heading into Sunday’s final round.

PGA Championship Leaderboard: The Top 10

• Alex Smalley (USA) -6
• Ludvig Aaberg (SWE) -4
• Aaron Rai (ENG) -4
• Jon Rahm (ESP) -4
• Nick Taylor (CAN) -4
• Matthias Schmid (GER) -4
• Maverick McNealy (USA) -3
• Patrick Reed (USA) -3
• Rory Mcllroy (NIR) -3
• Xander Schauffele (USA) -3