Vegas clings to PGA Championship lead with Scheffler and Fitzpatrick in hot pursuit

Among those leading the chase at Quail Hollow and making their presences felt are world No 1 Scottie Scheffler, England's Matt Fitzpatrick and South Korea's Kim Si-woo.

Despite closing with a double bogey, Vegas was still able to card a one-under-par 70 to finish at eight-under 134 through 36 holes. France's Matthieu Pavon fired a 65 to join Fitzpatrick and Kim at six-under 136, tied for second.

"It was a great day," Vegas said. "I can't really get too down on myself for making double on 18. I feel like I managed my game really well. I was feeling it out there. It was nice to keep the momentum. The game was there and the feeling was good.

"I wasn't happy to finish with that double on 18 but we have two more days to go."

Vegas admitted he endured a sleepless night with the lead on his shoulders, battling nerves as he prepared to defend his position atop the leaderboard.

"Not getting a great sleep and having to come back early put me not in the best mood all day," Vegas said. "It felt like three hours... I got some sleep but it wasn't the best."

Kim made history with a hole-in-one at the par-three sixth, using a five-wood from 252 yards - the longest ace ever recorded in a major. He added six birdies and just one bogey to match Max Homa for the day's lowest round with a 64.

"It was exciting," Kim said of the ace. "I hit it like exactly how I wanted. So it was cool and it was a pretty memorable hole-in-one in a major."

Tied for fifth at five-under 137 were Americans Max Homa and Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler carded a 68 with four birdies and a single bogey, moving ominously to within three shots of Vegas.

"Most of me is just glad to be close to the lead," Scheffler said. "There are going to be some bumps in the road. It's all about how you respond to those. I did a good job of responding to those mistakes and keeping myself in the tournament."

Scheffler's playing partners in the marquee group - world number two and Masters champion Rory McIlroy, and third-ranked defending champion Xander Schauffele - narrowly made the cut at one-over 143.

McIlroy, who completed the career Grand Slam with his Masters win, stumbled late with back-to-back bogeys, narrowly missing a three-foot par putt at 17 and then hitting off a hospitality tent roof into the rough on 18. He two-putted from 36 feet for another bogey, finishing with a 69.

Reports suggest that the reason the Northern Irishman is not speaking to the media this week is because his usual driver was deemed "no longer permissible" by the USGA shortly before the start of the tournament, forcing him into a switch that has played havoc with his form off the tee.

McIlroy hit just four fairways on Thursday and six on Friday.

Fitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open champion, shot a solid 68 and will look to lean on his major-winning experience as he aims to add to his trophy collection.

"The fact I've done it before, that's always a big confidence boost," he said. "You can lean on that. I'm just happy to be in this position."

American Jordan Spieth, chasing the final piece of a career Grand Slam, missed the cut after finishing at four-over 144.

Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, whose 19 consecutive made cuts in majors was the longest active streak, saw that run end alongside two-time major champion Justin Thomas, both bowing out at five-over 145.

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