Grillo, 23, will be paired with Australian Day in the group ahead of American co-leaders Jimmy Walker and Robert Streb. With five holes to play, he also has not made a bogey in the second round. “Happy to be a part of that 63 club I guess”, Streb said.
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Most of the crowd was at the par-5 closing holes at Baltusrol, and there was no shortage of entertainment.
With the cut line back at two-over following a brief stint at +1, he missed a short birdie putt on 14, then back-to-back bogeys on the subsequent two holes effectively ended his chances at playing the weekend.
Fourth-ranked Rory McIlroy fired a birdie-less 74, his first over-par start at a PGA, and British Open runner-up Phil Mickelson, a five-time major champion who won the last PGA at Baltusrol in 2005, rallied for a 71. He made bogey and was headed home to figure out what was wrong with his putting.
Jordan Spieth zoomed up the leaderboard with a dazzling opening nine holes. His 67 put him at 3 under.
Stenson was grouped with the year’s other two major winners – Masters champ Danny Willett and US Open victor Dustin Johnson. He spent the rest of the day battling to get back, and he delivered on the 18th with a birdie to post a 70. He hit his drive on No. 17 onto a patio of one of the hospitality tents and was given a drop from where he was able to make par.
A stunning eagle on Stenson’s ninth hole, the 18th, proved the turning point in a round of 67 that left the Swede six under at the halfway stage. “I’ve never been in this situation, and I’m not afraid of it. I’m going to go out and enjoy it”. “You still have to go perform, it doesn’t matter what the tournament is”. “Doesn’t matter what tournament it is”.
Past year at the PGA Championship, Lahiri had finished tied fifth, becoming India’s best ever performer at a major golf championship.
Polland, who turned 26 Thursday, is an assistant golf pro at Deepdale Golf Club in Manhassett, N.Y. He was among 20 club professionals from around the country who earned a spot in the PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club against the toughest of fields.
The 40-year-old Stenson, who won the British Open this month, is looking for consecutive major titles.
Defending champion Jason Day is lurking, tied with Emiliano Grillo two shots behind the leaders while reigning Open Championship victor Henrik Stenson trails by three. He had to settle for two pars and a 65. The two of them were tied historically with seven golfers who previously had shot 131 through the first two rounds of a PGA, most recently 2013 champion Jason Dufner.
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Mickelson making the cut might have been the most entertaining. His opening tee shot actually left the course, hitting Shunpike Road and bouncing into a driveway across the street. Kerry Haigh, the PGA’s chief championship officer, personally apologized to all three players after their round.
