Rain poured down over the Philadelphia Cricket Club on Friday, turning the second round of the PGA Tour Truist Championship into a soggy, tense affair. Amid the wet conditions and swirling wind, Keith Mitchell managed to maintain his grip on the top of the leaderboard—though just barely. The 33-year-old American carded a three-under-par 67, clinging to a slim one-stroke lead as the field behind him began to stir, with Shane Lowry charging up the ranks and Rory McIlroy lurking five shots back.
Mitchell’s round wasn’t as explosive as his career-low 61 on Thursday, but it was more than enough to keep him at the summit, finishing the day at 12-under-par 128 after 36 holes. While others struggled with soaked greens and unpredictable bounces, Mitchell displayed composure and consistency, a formula that could be vital heading into the weekend where conditions may continue to deteriorate.
It has been five years since Mitchell last lifted a PGA Tour trophy, back in 2019 at the Honda Classic. In that victory, he outlasted Brooks Koepka and Rickie Fowler with nerves of steel. Since then, he’s hovered around contention but never quite finished the job—until possibly now. Just last month, Mitchell came painfully close again, finishing as the runner-up at Puntacana. That near miss, however, seems to have lit a fire in him.
“I’ve been working really hard,” Mitchell told reporters after the round, visibly drenched but upbeat. “I think the form has been building for a while now. Thursday’s 61 gave me some confidence, and today was about grinding through the rain and staying focused.”
Behind him, Shane Lowry appears poised to make a real push for the title. The Irishman, known for his comfort in challenging conditions, seems energized by the wet weather. Lowry’s round included a brilliant stretch of birdies that vaulted him into the top three and within striking distance of Mitchell. With his 2019 Open Championship triumph at a rainy Royal Portrush still fresh in fans’ minds, Lowry is no stranger to navigating chaos.
Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, finds himself five shots back after a frustrating day on the course. While he avoided any major disasters, McIlroy couldn’t quite get the momentum he needed to move up the leaderboard. Still, with two rounds remaining, few would bet against the Northern Irishman staging a weekend charge. His ball-striking remains among the best in the game, and if the putter warms up, McIlroy could very well turn the tide.
The conditions, however, remain a major talking point—not just for players but for fans and commentators alike. The rain turned fairways into sponge-like surfaces and slowed the greens considerably. Several players struggled to adjust, leading to missed putts and awkward stances. For Mitchell, the key was adaptability.
“I tried to stay patient and trust my caddie,” he said. “You have to factor in how different the ball reacts. You can’t get too aggressive.”
Beyond just the leaderboard, Friday’s second round also reinvigorated broader conversations about the state of the game—particularly among players like McIlroy. Earlier in the week, the four-time major winner reignited the longstanding debate about golf ball regulation in major tournaments, voicing frustration over equipment inconsistencies and calling for more uniform standards.
The timing of McIlroy’s comments only added intrigue to the week. With weather adding yet another variable to an already volatile championship, questions about fairness, course setup, and player preparation are once again being discussed with intensity. For a traditional course like the Philadelphia Cricket Club, the unpredictable mix of modern technology and old-school layouts has led to performances that swing wildly round to round.
