The car doors had no handles—that is a standout memory to John Fields. So was knowing that the vehicle in which he was riding with PGA Tour player Jhonattan Vegas was bulletproof, and that the motorcycles zooming alongside weren’t ridden by tourists but hired protectors.

Looming large amid an eclectic mix of PGA Championship contenders is Scottie Scheffler, still not in full control of his game but only three shots back going into the weekend.