Rory McIlroy is back in the hunt at the PGA Championship, but he's not holding back his thoughts on the course setup. After a stellar bogey-free round of three-under-par 67 on Friday, the world number two surged to one-over 141 for 36 holes at the formidable Aronimink course, putting him just five shots off the lead. It's a remarkable turnaround for the six-time major winner, who spent hours on the driving range following a disappointing 74 on Thursday that included four consecutive bogeys to close the round.

McIlroy's improved driving was the key to his resurgence, and he's feeling confident about his chances. "At five back I do feel like I'm right in the tournament," he said. "That's really what I wanted to do today was to just get myself back in it, and I feel like I've done that." For fans of the game, seeing McIlroy find his rhythm again is a reminder that even the best players need to tweak their approach—much like how the right gear can make all the difference on the course.

But McIlroy didn't stop at praising his own performance. He took aim at the course setup, blaming it for the logjam at the top of the leaderboard. The Northern Irishman argued that the PGA of America has been overly protective with tough pin placements on the sloping greens, making birdies a rare commodity. "It has been hard to make birdies out there because one, the wind the last couple days, but also where they have put these hole locations," he explained. "I feel like they have really tried to protect the course the first couple of days, so it seems like they have used up a lot of the really hard ones."

McIlroy's critique is sharp: "A bunched leaderboard like this, I think it's a sign of not a great setup, because it hasn't really enabled anyone to separate themselves. It's easy to make a ton of pars, hard to make birdies, and not that it's hard to make bogey, but it feels like bogey's the worst score you're going to shoot on any one hole. There's not a lot of hazards." His words echo a common frustration among golfers when courses prioritize defense over excitement.

Despite the criticism, McIlroy sees a silver lining. He believes that with calmer conditions and more favorable hole locations expected over the weekend, the field will have a real chance to make a move. "You get on a run with wedges on that front nine and you shoot 4-, 5-under and all of a sudden you're right in the thick of things," he said. For golf enthusiasts and apparel shoppers alike, this weekend promises drama—and a reminder that sometimes, it's not just the swing but the setup that defines the game.