Justin Thomas fired back at a pace-of-play warning during his second round at the PGA Championship, insisting his group of three wasn't holding up the field despite gusting 25 mph winds and punishing greens at Aronimink. Thomas, playing alongside Keegan Bradley and Cameron Young, shot 69 but disputed the official's decision. "We weren't holding up the group behind us," he said. "Every time we were on the green, they were on the tee."

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler slipped from his overnight lead after a 71, missing six straight fairways and making less than 50 feet of putts. He called the pin locations "absurd," arguing the PGA of America could effectively set whatever winning score they wanted through placement. Chris Gotterup shot 65 with three consecutive birdies but admitted the setup would keep rounds long, calling it the hardest pin configuration he's seen on tour.

Most morning groups took over five and a half hours to finish. Thomas and Young head into the weekend at two under, while Smalley — the morning clubhouse leader — was also put on the clock despite saying it didn't rattle him. The complaints over pace of play and pin positions now loom over Saturday's third round.