Rory McIlroy's PGA Championship campaign was on the brink of collapse after a shaky first round, but a stellar 3-under-par 67 on Friday salvaged his tournament. the Northern Irish golfer, who had struggled with wayward drives in the opening round, regained his form to finish at 1-over, just five shots behind the leader. Meanwhile, David Puig of LIV Golf emerged as a standout performer, shooting a 3-under 67 to tie for ninth place at 2-under.

McIlroy's Driving Accuracy Turns the Tide

McIlroy's resurgence was largely attributed to his improved driving accuracy. After a frustrating first round marred by bogeys due to errant tee shots, McIlroy found his rhythm on Friday. He emphasized that his focus was on getting back into competitive position, which he achieved through disciplined play and a renewed feel for his driver. This turnaround highlights McIlroy's ability to adapt and recover under pressure, a trait that has defined his career.

LIV Golf's Strong Showing

David Puig's performance was part of a broader success story for LIV Golf players at the PGA Championship. Six of the eleven LIV Golf players made the cut, including heavyweights like Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Martin Kaymer, Joaquin Niemann, and Cam Smith. Puig, who received a special invitation to the tournament, expessed his excitement about his preparation and felt more ready for this major than any other he had previously entered. This collective success has fueled discussions about the depth of talent across the professional golf landscape .

Club Professionals' Struggles

The performance of the invited club professionals was a mixed bag. Ben Kern,a 41-year-old from Hickory Hills, Ohio, was the sole club pro to make the cut. his 3-under 67 on Friday left him at 1-over for the tournament and established him as a leader in the birdie category with nine birdies over 36 holes. However, the majority of the 20 club professionals failed to advance, with 14 of them occupying the bottom 14 spots on the leaderboard. This has reignited debates about the appropriateness of these invitations for the competitive rigor of a major championship.

DeChambeau and Higgo's Disappointments

Bryson DeChambeau and Garrick Higgo experienced significant setbacks. DeChambeau missed the cut for the second consecutive major championship and four of his last seven major starts. Higgo, who incurred a two-stroke penalty for arriving late to his tee time on Thursday, struggled to find consistency on Friday. Despite a strong initial showing with a 1-under 69, a 6-over 76 on the second day ensured his exit from the tournamnt. These disappointments highlight the fine margins and administrative challenges that can impact a player's performance in high-stakes events.