In a stunning display of skill and determination, Scottie Scheffler clinched victory at the 107th PGA Championship held at the renowned Quail Hollow Club on Sunday, finishing with a commanding five-stroke lead. However, the final score only tells a fraction of the story surrounding this thrilling tournament. “I felt like this was as hard as I battled for a tournament in my career,” Scheffler remarked, highlighting the intense competition he faced throughout the championship.
By many accounts, Scheffler had already taken control of the tournament by Saturday night, showcasing his prowess on the challenging Green Mile at Quail Hollow Club. With an impressive 5-under finish over his final five holes, he entered the final round with a three-stroke lead, seemingly in full command and ready to secure his third major title—his first outside of the Masters.
Yet, major championships are notoriously unpredictable, and as the sun rose on Sunday, Scheffler discovered he had company. Jon Rahm, playing two groups ahead, was on fire, securing birdies on the 8th, 11th, and 12th holes to surge to 9 under par. In contrast, Scheffler struggled on the front nine, hitting only two fairways and four greens, resulting in three bogeys and just one birdie. By the turn, he found himself tied with Rahm for the lead.
Throughout the championship, Scheffler battled with his swing, having difficulty making full turns. His coach, Randy Smith, even had to assist him physically at one point, turning Scheffler’s hips through impact during practice. While he managed to rectify this issue on Saturday's back nine, he faced a new challenge on Sunday, grappling with his aim. “I told Teddy walking up, 9 tee, I was like, ‘That one felt pretty good. I don’t know why that was left again,’” Scheffler recalled, indicating his frustration.
However, a crucial moment came when he squared up his drive at the par-5 10th hole, leading to a birdie that allowed him to regain his solo lead. The cheers from the crowd could be heard as Rahm prepared to putt for birdie on the 12th, but he missed, marking a shift in momentum.
As the tournament progressed, Scheffler continued to pull away with birdies at the 14th and 15th holes. His ability to execute impressive up-and-downs on the 16th and 17th holes solidified his position. “There’s too much talent in the game of golf for me to slap the ball around today with a three-shot lead,” Scheffler stated confidently. His focus remained sharp, even as he faced uncertainty due to a lack of information from the leaderboards during critical holes. “I just prepared for Jon to go out and have a back nine,” he explained, underlining his mental resilience.
Unfortunately for Rahm, the pressure proved too great as he faltered with a bogey-double-double performance on the challenging Green Mile, finishing at 4 under. “Am I embarrassed a little bit about how I finished today? Yeah,” Rahm admitted. “But I just need to get over it. It's not the end of the world.” Despite the disappointing finish, he remained optimistic about his performance throughout the week, looking forward to the upcoming U.S. Open.
Meanwhile, Scheffler concluded his round with a bogey on the par-4 18th, finishing with a level par 71. He celebrated his victory with high-fives and chest bumps with his caddie, Ted Scott. During the winner’s press conference, he was asked to reflect on last year’s PGA Championship at Valhalla, a week marked by both success and an unforgettable personal incident. “It’s just one of those deals that I really don’t know how to describe it. But I can tell you it’s very sweet sitting here with the trophy this year,” Scheffler said, expressing his satisfaction with the outcome.
In the end, the PGA Championship was officially over, and Scottie Scheffler emerged as the champion, proving that even in moments of adversity, determination and skill can lead to triumph on the grand stage of golf.
