Golf: Justin Thomas rises to the top at the PGA Championship

You can watch Round 2 of the PGA Championship on RDS2 starting at 2 p.m. and on RDS Direct in our multiplex environment.

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TULSA, Okla. — Justin Thomas posted a second straight 67 to top the PGA Championship standings on Friday at the Southern Hills course in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Thomas managed four birdies, including one on the 18th hole thanks to a putt of about ten feet, to temporarily reach the top. A second wave of golfers will tee off in the afternoon.

The American already has a title under his belt at the PGA Championship; that was in 2017. for his first – and only – Grand Slam title.

For his part, fellow world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler had a miserable second day, returning a score of 75 to position himself at plus-6, meaning he will most likely miss the weekend rounds.

Rory McIlroy held a one-shot lead going into the second round and several rivals are hot on his heels while Tiger Woods will have a hard time qualifying for the final two rounds of the major tournament.

McIlroy, who opened the tournament with a 65 on Thursday, will play alongside Woods and Jordan Spieth, who also struggled with a first-round 72. Woods settled for a 74 after committing five bogeys during an eight-hole stretch and two more in conclusion.

The Northern Irishman is looking to add a fifth major title and a third PGA title, eight years after his last in a memorable 2014 season.

Will Zalatoris and Tom Hoge are both minus-4 two strokes behind “JT” as they enter their second day.

Brooks Koepka, two-time tournament champion, also shot 67 in the morning on Friday, overshadowing a score of 75 the day before. Cameron Tringale scored 68 to settle at 2 under.

Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, BC, finished his round in 71 shots and found himself just on the wrong end of the ax at plus-4. Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., shot a round of 73 and was over-9.