Jonatan Vegas leads at -8; McIlroy stumbles late to stay alive while Scheffler lurks just three back

Rory McIlroy narrowly made the cut at the PGA Championship after a nervy finish to his second round at Quail Hollow, while Jhonattan Vegas surged into a surprise lead and Scottie Scheffler kept himself firmly in the title chase.

On a day when strong winds and tension tested the field, Masters champion McIlroy posted a rollercoaster 69 to finish one over for the tournament—just good enough to extend his bid for a sixth major title into the weekend.

Jhonattan Vegas leads the way after rounds of 64 and 70 left him at eight under, despite a double bogey at his final hole. The Venezuelan is two clear of Matt Fitzpatrick, Si Woo Kim, and Matthieu Pavon, all of whom surged up the board with standout performances. Kim recorded one of the longest aces in major history, drilling a 252-yard hole-in-one at the par-three sixth en route to a 64.

McIlroy’s escape act was anything but straightforward. Starting the day outside the projected cut line following a disastrous opening-round 74, the five-time major winner needed something special. He started brightly with birdies at the second and eighth, adding another at the par-five 10th. But the back nine was anything but calm.

Bogeys at 11 and 12 brought the cut line back into view. He rebounded with birdies at 14 and 15, only to three-putt the 17th from inside four feet. On 18, his errant tee shot ricocheted off a hospitality tent and barely avoided the creek. A lengthy two-putt from 40 feet was just enough to make the cut on the number.

“I’m still in it, barely,” McIlroy said afterwards, not hiding the relief on his face.

Meanwhile, world No 1 Scottie Scheffler quietly posted a composed 68, placing him at five under and within striking distance of the lead heading into Saturday. Scheffler mixed four birdies with a single bogey in steady fashion, remaining poised in the congested pack chasing Vegas.

Also at five under is Max Homa, while Xander Schauffele, grouped with McIlroy and Scheffler, gritted out a level-par 71 to keep his incredible cut streak alive—now 64 straight made cuts since the 2022 Masters.

Matt Fitzpatrick, aiming for his second major, impressed again with a second-straight 68, while Pavon went bogey-free for a sharp 65. All three trail Vegas by two strokes.

With wind still forecast and Quail Hollow’s “Green Mile” stretch lurking, the stage is set for a tense and unpredictable weekend.