The 103rd PGA Championship at the Ocean Course is bringing out the best from some of the best the game has to offer. The top three on the leaderboard, Phil Mickelson, Louis Oosthuizen and Brooks Koepka own 10 major titles. Mickelson has five, Koepka four and Oosthuizen one.
Mickelson played the front nine (his final 9) Friday in 31, on his way to a three under 69 and a share of the lead at five under with Oosthuizen. He’s seeking to become the first golfer over the age of 50 to win a major.
The South African Oosthuizen, who owns a British Open championship, had the solo lead until a bogey at 18 finished off his 68 and dropped him to five under.
Koepka had a pair of eagles on his round, but they were offset by four bogeys. A remaining birdie gave him a one under par round of 71 and second place to himself at four under.
The cut fell at plus five, and among the victims was world #1 Dustin Johnson. He followed his 76 from Thursday with a 74 Friday, missing the cut by a shot. Kiawah Island’s Russell Henley made the weekend with a 4 over par total. Aiken’s Kevin Kisner missed the cut at 10 over par. Former USC player Patrick Rada also missed the cut at +18.
The wind was a great factor on Friday with gusts upwards of 20 MPH. There were 22 rounds of 80 or more recorded. The scoring average Friday was 75.519.
Second-Round Leaderboard
Phil Mickelson 70-69—139 (-5)
Louis Oosthuizen 71-68—139 (-5)
Brooks Koepka 69-71—140 (-4)
Branden Grace 70-71—141 (-3)
Christian Bezuidenhout 71-70—141 (-3)
Hideki Matsuyama 73-68—141 (-3)
