Full Breakdown
Gotterup's 65 at Aronimink Shifts PGA Championship Landscape
5/16/2026, 9:43:48 PM
Core Event: Gotterup Posts 5-Under 65 in Round Two
On Friday, May 15, 2026, Chris Gotterup shot a 65 (5-under) at Aronimink Golf Club, the lowest round of the day and the best score of the 108th PGA Championship, moving him to a tie for third at 3-under.
Background & Context: Course Setup and Weather
Aronimink played as a par-70 with firm, sloping greens, aggressive pin placements and 30-mph gusts. Players said the wind and tight pins slowed play and made hitting greens in regulation difficult.
Data & Statistics: Performance Metrics
Gotterup’s 65 was two strokes ahead of the next best afternoon score and about eight strokes better than the field average of 72.88. He leads Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green, is second in Strokes Gained: Approach, and tops the field with a 356-yard driving average.
Official Statements & Responses
Gotterup said the setup is not unfair but “aggressive,” noting that “you’re hitting a four-iron to a 10-foot circle… if you miss, you face a hard two-putt.” Scheffler, who shot 71, called the round “a heck of a round,” praised Gotterup’s “even temperament,” and said he “is not a guy that’s really going to get very flustered.” McIlroy called the pins “absurd.”
Criticism & Opposition
Both Scheffler and McIlroy criticized the pin placements, describing them as “absurd” and “harsh,” and argued they limited birdie chances.
On-the-Ground Report: Gotterup’s Experience
Gotterup said the wind demanded “creativity,” noting that “even if it’s a generic shot, if it’s blowing 30 mph off the right, you’ve got to craft a manageable ball flight.” He also mentioned sleeping in his own bed and having his parents and girlfriend in the gallery.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Some sources listed Gotterup’s round as 6-under 65, others as 5-under. Field average is cited as 72.88, but exact first-round averages differ. No official clarification is available.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I don't think it's unfair, but I do think for pace of play and certain aspects, there have been a couple -- you know, 14 today is probably aggressive, I will say," he said.” — Chris Gotterup, PGA Championship competitor
- “But is it going to make the round slow? Yeah.” — Chris Gotterup
- “He's not a guy that's really going to get very flustered.” — Scottie Scheffler, World No. 1
- “Even if it’s a generic shot, if it’s blowing 30 (mph) off the right, you’ve got to be able to craft something that is manageable to get it in the middle of the green.” — Chris Gotterup, PGA Championship competitor
What’s Next: Weekend Outlook
Going into Saturday at 3-under, Gotterup stays in the top tier and within striking distance of the Wanamaker Trophy, emphasizing the need to keep positioning as the cut approaches.
