The PGA Championship returned to Aronimink for the first time in 64 years, and it’s already delivering drama worthy of a major. After Friday’s second round, the leaderboard is packed tighter than a Sunday fairway, with newcomers and seasoned champions alike ready to battle for the Wanamaker Trophy.

Alex Smalley and Maverick McNealy share the lead at 4-under 136, marking the highest 36-hole score to lead this championship since 2012 at Kiawah Island. Smalley, playing in just his fifth major, showed resilience by bouncing back from three straight bogeys after the turn to close with a birdie and a 1-under 69. McNealy, who has never cracked the top 25 in a major through two rounds, carded a 67 despite late bogeys that kept him from pulling away.

But here’s where it gets interesting: Seven major champions are lurking within four shots of the lead. That list includes Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, and Hideki Matsuyama. And don’t overlook two-time Wanamaker winner Rory McIlroy, who fired a bogey-free 67 to climb into a tie for 30th, just five strokes back. With the gap between first and last place only eight shots, McIlroy’s assessment rings true: "Anyone who makes the cut, they’ve got to feel they have a shot in the tournament."

Aronimink’s large, sloping greens with sharp undulations and perilous pin positions have kept the field guessing. Cold, blustery morning conditions gave way to fast afternoon play, making it tough to hit approach shots close and even tougher to lag long putts. Scheffler, who salvaged a 71, didn’t mince words: "This is the hardest set of pin locations that I’ve seen since I’ve been on tour. And that includes U.S. Opens. That includes Oakmont."

As the year’s second major heads into the weekend in the Philadelphia suburbs, the stage is set for a thrilling chase. Whether you’re rooting for a first-time winner or a proven champion, one thing is certain—this one is far from over.