Spanish Sensation David Puig Sets PGA Championship Ablaze With Back-Nine Birdie Barrage

David Puig continued his meteoric rise at the 2026 PGA Championship on Friday, firing a five-under 67 at Aronimink Golf Club to reach two-under for the week and surge into contention as the season’s second major heads into Moving Day. Once again the 22-year-old Spaniard showcased the effortless power that has made him a highlight-reel regular since joining LIV Golf and earning co-sanctioned status on the DP World Tour. Puig averaged 327 yards off the tee in Round 2—six yards longer than the field’s big-hitting benchmark—and found 15 greens in regulation despite Aronimink’s penal rough. The result vaulted him inside the top 10 and just three shots off the early clubhouse lead. Playing partner Aldrich Potgieter, who sits one stroke ahead at three-under, drew rave reviews from Puig after the round. “He’s a really talented player. He hits it really far—definitely longer than me—and played unbelievable golf today and yesterday,” Puig said, calling the South African’s potential “really, really bright”. Their head-to-head duel gave fans an enticing glimpse of men’s golf’s next generation and underscored Puig’s growing reputation as a fearless closer. That confidence is built on results. Since turning pro out of Arizona State, Puig has logged a LIV team title, a solo victory at the DP World Tour’s Catalunya Championship and four additional top-10s, pushing him to seventh in LIV’s season-long standings. Earlier this spring he pocketed his first major top-20 at Augusta, and insiders predicted Aronimink would suit his high-launch fade and deft short game. Friday’s bogey-free inward nine—highlighted by a hole-out bunker birdie at the short par-4 7th—proved those forecasts prescient. Statistically Puig is gaining strokes in every category this week, but his putter has been the real difference: 1.55 putts per GIR, tied for second in the field. With firm greens expected over the weekend, that lights-out putting could be pivotal in a bunched leaderboard where a single roll can swing the championship. Saturday’s third round will pair Puig with fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm in a marquee grouping that is sure to dominate broadcast coverage. A victory would make Puig the youngest PGA Champion since Rory McIlroy in 2012 and position him as a European lynchpin ahead of next year’s Ryder Cup in Adare. Even a podium finish, however, would cement the Barcelona native’s status as the breakout star of 2026 and amplify the buzz already surrounding LIV Golf’s youthful contingent. For now, Puig’s plan is simple: “Stay aggressive, keep trusting the process, and enjoy every minute,” he said on the range as twilight settled over Pennsylvania’s rolling fairways. If he keeps swinging freely, the golf world—and search traffic—will be following every shot all the way to the 72nd hole on Sunday evening.