Scottie Scheffler blames wind and 'absurd' pin locations for second-round score at Aronimink

The challenging pin locations are typically used to make a less demanding course, tougher, especially for a major championship. Seven players, including Scheffler, shared the lead after the first round, but Friday proved to be a differenty story entirely.

While the scores across the board were considerably higher than Thursday, some players like Chris Gotterup managed to shoot 3-under 65, seven strokes less than in his first round. Scheffler admitted the layout wasn't unfair and it's all about trying to solve the puzzle.

"I think that's what is great about the harder tests. A lot of times you see somebody figure it out. Like you see that in a lot of U.S. Opens, you see that in a lot of these tournaments. So, when you see a score like that from a guy like Chris, he's obviously a really talented player -- and I think that's a good thing. It's got to be a heck of a round," Scheffler said.

The 2025 PGA Championship winner recorded four bogeys and three birdies on Friday and was clearly frustrated with his round. Afterward, he called golf "the hardest game in the world" and remarked that while he loves hard tests, he's still trying to figure it out.

"We're trying to make it harder, and there's different ways you can do that. You can do that on a golf course like this -- I mean, I truly believe they could have the winning score be whatever they want it to be. It could be over par if they want it to be, just based purely upon pin locations," Scheffler said.

Scheffler then doubled down on the difficulty at the Aronimink golf course, and the challenge being presented at the second major of the season.

"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," he added. "It's difficult to get the ball close to the hole. It's difficult to hole putts, especially when you have big slopes and wind, and I think that's why you see the scores so close to par."

Good news for Scottie, Spring seems to be arriving just in time for the weekend, which could bring down the temperature on the course challenges and warm up the wintry wind.

2025 PGA Championship - Final Round

PGA Championship: Facts, figures and storylines for second major of 2026

The Wanamaker Trophy and defending champ Scottie Scheffler head to Aronimink Golf Club for the 108th edition of the PGA Championship.

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