It was a day of high drama at the PGA Championship as top-ranked defending champion Scottie Scheffler stumbled out of the gate, carding a bogey on the 10th hole during Friday's second round. The world No. 1, who found himself in a rare tie for the lead after 18 holes, quickly learned that maintaining momentum at Aronimink is no easy feat.

Scheffler was part of an unprecedented logjam at the top—seven players shared the 18-hole lead, the most in a major since nine players did so at the 1969 PGA Championship. "At this moment, it's anybody's tournament," Scheffler admitted, and with seven others just one stroke back, he wasn't wrong.

The morning starters set the tone early. Scheffler, who had never before led or shared a major lead after 18 holes, found trouble off the 10th tee with thick left rough. His approach fell short of the green, and despite a punch shot to 19 feet, he missed the par putt. Meanwhile, two-time major winner Martin Kaymer of Germany also stumbled, falling to one-under overall after bogeys at the second and fourth holes.

But the leaderboard remained a crowded affair. Australian Min Woo Lee, Japan's Ryo Hisatsune, South African Aldrich Potgieter, and Germany's Stephan Jaeger all shared co-leader status with afternoon start times. The depth of talent was staggering: 12 major champions were within two strokes, 48 players within three, and 92 within five—all setting 18-hole major records.

Aronimink's trademark sloped greens, combined with cold and gusty conditions, tested even the world's best. Ireland's Shane Lowry opened with a bogey to slip to one-under, while Canada's Corey Conners slid to level par after two three-putt bogeys. Reigning US Open champion J.J. Spaun and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama found some early relief with back-nine birdies to reach one-under.

Perhaps the most intriguing storyline was six-time major winner Rory McIlroy. After a disastrous opening-round 74—where he sprayed tee shots and made bogeys on five of the last six holes—the reigning Masters champion spent hours on the practice range Thursday evening. History isn't on his side: not since Payne Stewart in 1979 has a PGA winner opened with a 74. McIlroy will need a dramatic turnaround in his afternoon start to stay in contention.

With so many players in striking distance and the course offering no mercy, the PGA Championship is shaping up to be a true test of grit. For fans and players alike, it's anyone's game.