Scheffler questions PGA Championship pin strategy as Aronimink tests field

Scottie Scheffler has raised concerns regarding the pin locations at Aronimink Golf Club, describing the second-round conditions at the 2026 PGA Championship as the most difficult he has encountered on tour. The world number one, who finished the day at one over par, suggested that the governing body could effectively manipulate the final winning score through strategic pin placement alone.

Scheffler entered Friday tied for the lead after a first-round 67 but struggled significantly with accuracy, hitting only seven of 14 fairways on the back nine. He recorded three bogeys on his first four holes and missed the first six fairways after starting on the 10th hole. Despite the challenging greens and pin positions, which penalised missed fairways severely, Scheffler recovered with birdies on the 17th and 18th holes to finish with a 71.

"This is the hardest set of pin locations that I've seen since I've been on Tour, and that includes U.S. Opens, that includes Oakmont," Scheffler said. He consulted with veteran caddies Mark Fulcher and Ted Scott, who indicated that only Shinnecock Hills might offer comparable pin difficulty. Scheffler noted that the pins were not just perched on shelves but pushed to extreme positions, with the 14th hole cited as particularly aggressive due to its placement on a spine.

While Scheffler maintained that the setup was not unfair, he highlighted the strategic implications of such rigour. He argued that the PGA could determine the winning score purely through pin locations, stating, "It could be over par if they want it to be." This sentiment aligns with previous comments from Jon Rahm, who suggested the PGA may have increased difficulty in response to chatter about low winning scores.

Chris Gotterup, who posted the tournament’s best round with a five-under 65, also noted the aggression of the 14th-hole pin. Scheffler remains two shots behind clubhouse leader Alex Smalley, acknowledging that playing smart golf and avoiding the rough will be critical as the tournament progresses into the weekend.