World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler remained in contention at the 2026 PGA Championship after shooting a 1-over 71 [2] on Friday.

The result keeps the top-ranked player in the hunt for the title despite a volatile second round that tested his mental resilience. His ability to recover from a poor start prevents a potential collapse that could have removed him from the leaderboard early in the tournament.

Scheffler faced significant difficulties during the opening stretch of his round at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania. He started the day three over par through the first four holes [3]. The world leader struggled with the course setup, which he said contributed to the slow start.

"These pin locations are the hardest I've ever faced," Scheffler said [1].

Despite the early deficit, Scheffler managed to stabilize his game over the remaining holes. He rebounded from the three-over opening to finish the round with a 71 [2]. This follow-up performance comes after he posted a 3-under 67 during the first round [1].

Scheffler described the experience as an extreme challenge. He noted the difficulty of the venue throughout the day's play.

"I was stunned by how tough Aronimink was after round 2," Scheffler said [2].

The golfer emphasized that the recovery was key to his current standing in the tournament. He said that he managed to bounce back and shoot a 71, staying in contention [3].

With the second round complete, Scheffler remains a primary threat to win the championship. His experience navigating the difficult pin locations at Aronimink will be a critical factor as the tournament moves into the weekend.

“"These pin locations are the hardest I've ever faced."”

Scheffler's ability to limit damage after a disastrous start demonstrates why he holds the world No. 1 ranking. In major championships, the capacity to avoid a 'blow-up' round is often more important than shooting a low score. By staying in contention despite the hardest pin locations of his career, Scheffler maintains psychological momentum heading into the final two rounds.