2024 PGA Championship Round 2: Scottie Scheffler’s Arrest, Jon Rahm F**k Bombs & Round Suspension

If you thought the first round of the 2024 PGA Championship was fraught with scary and bizarre moments, then take a glance back at the Friday round. While Thursday was filled with golfers breaking records, scoring eagles, and the like, the second round stood apart in it being oddly and truly bizarre. Even Scottie Scheffler would agree.

While it is true that there were many instances of exceptional gameplay spearheaded by the No. 1 golfer, one can’t possibly ignore the unfortunate moments that transpired on and off the greens in Valhalla. It had even gone ahead to claim a life outside the golf course, resulting in a delay of the tournament!

Unforgettable moments of the second round at The PGA Championship

1. The ill-fated accident and subsequent Round delay: The second day’s play did not start at 07:15 A.M. ET but began after an hour and twenty-minute delay. The reason? A man was involved in a fatal accident where he was hit by a shuttle bus in Louisiana. He was identified later as John Mills, a tournament worker who was attempting to cross the road.

The PGA of America, after identifying the late Mr. Mills, was quick to respond; “This morning we were devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club. This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.” The Mayor of Louisville also expressed his condolences to the family; “This morning, our city experienced a tragic accident that took the life of John Mills… Our focus is on this family who lost their loved one. I have spoken with members of Mr. Mills’ family to convey our city’s condolences.”

2. Scottie Scheffler goes to jail: The tragic accident was soon followed by another unfortunate news. The 2024 Masters champ was reportedly trying to bypass the traffic created by the incident when a police officer attempted to stop his vehicle, resulting in a misunderstanding and an arrest. Although the post-arrest complaint paints the pro in a bad light with him driving forward while dragging the officer, the golfer’s attorney denied the same: “[Scottie Scheffler] stopped immediately upon being directed to and never at any point assaulted any officer with his vehicle.”

The PGA Tour Pro was, as a result of the arrest, charged with two misdemeanors: reckless driving and a felony second-degree assault of a police officer. The golfer couldn’t even believe it himself when he expressed the same after the second round, where he hit an impressive 66; “I was pretty rattled, to say the least… my body was — I was shaking. I would say in shock and in fear. Coming out here and trying to play today was definitely a challenge.”

3. Jon Rahm’s F-bomb and an end to the cut streak: The Spaniard was spotted cursing out himself as well as his gameplay throughout the day. Tron Carter, a reporter for the sport, pointed out the same while expressing his apologies to the viewers. One can’t blame the LIV golfer for doing so, especially when looking at the subpar performance he put out, resulting in him missing the cut for the first time since the 2019 PGA Championship.

Over the two days of play, he put up figures of 70-72 at the par-71 Valhalla Golf Course resulting in him dishing out an even-par score overall. He could only manage nine birdies while carding a total of seven bogeys as well as a double bogey. It was truly an unfortunate end to the streak he was able to rack up.

4. The other LIV golfers’ misery: From Phil Mickelson to Adrian Meronk, David Puig, and Andy Ogletree, a total of four other professionals from the PIF-funded circuit found themselves going home early. While ‘Lefty’ finished T116 after the second round, the others went ahead to place themselves at T91, T108, and T134 respectively.

Ogletree, however, has three more holes left to play. The American would still, regardless, fall well below the projected cut line at -1 even if he does go ahead and birdies each of the remaining holes; the par-5 7th (Genuine Risk), the par-3 8th (Float Like a Butterfly), and the par-4 9th (Twin Spires).

5. Tiger Woods misses the cut: Joining the five LIV Golf Pros along with the other PGA Tour professionals who missed the cut is the legend of the game, who finished at T134. The 48-year-old was only able to dish out a score of 7 over par with figures of 72-77, which included six birdies, seven bogeys, and two double bogeys.

The professional himself admitted that he needs to work on his game before admitting how he has been feeling a lot better physically. “I need to clean up my rounds,” said Woods before adding, “Physically, yes, I am better than I was a month ago. I still have more ways to go, lots of improvement to go physically, and hopefully my team and I can get that done pre-Pinehurst and going into it,” while alluding to the 2024 U.S. Open.

6. The suspension of Round 2: The delay in the start of the second round, coupled with unfavorable weather conditions, led to Friday’s play being suspended at 8:41 P.M. ET. Many golfers, as a result of the cancellation, couldn’t finish their day, with the likes of Dean Burmester, Taylor Moore, Jeremy Wells, Erik Van Rooyen, Ben Polland, and Zac Blair, among others, being forced to resume the same on Saturday.

Another announcement was made soon after by the PGA Championship on their official X handle. It divulged how the rest of the round will resume on Saturday at 7:15 A.M. ET. The first tee of the next round, meanwhile, is planned to start at 09:00 A.M. ET to 03:00 A.M. ET and will happen in groups of two.

Although there were other examples of unforgettable moments that took place on the golf course, these instances couldn’t help but top them all. It truly was a bizarre day for the golfers as well as the community at Valhalla!