Xander Schauffele clinched his first major title at the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky. Schauffele triumphed after a tense showdown, marked by a disastrous for the world’s top-ranked golfer, Scottie Scheffler.
Starting, Schauffele and Collin Morikawa were tied, leading the field but only by a narrow margin. As the final round unfolded, Morikawa faded amid challenges from Bryson DeChambeau and Viktor Hovland. The championship ultimately came down to the 18th hole, with Schauffele and DeChambeau tied. Their drives landed short of a bunker and on its lip, respectively.
Schauffele managed to recover with a skilled stroke near the green, setting up a birdie opportunity which he successfully converted, securing his first major victory. Schauffele, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics gold medalist, credited his mental focus for the win. “I kept saying all week I just need to stay in my lane,” he remarked before accepting the Wanamaker Trophy. “I tried all day to just keep focus.”
This win marked Schauffele’s eighth appearance at the PGA Championship and his first major title after seven career wins. DeChambeau, a fellow Californian, turned the tournament at Valhalla Golf Club into a nail-biter, tying for the lead with a dramatic birdie on the 18th hole. He had also capitalized on a fortunate bounce on the 16th hole, making it in two strokes.
Viktor Hovland of Norway emerged as a strong contender, posting a 5-under 66 on Saturday and surpassing Morikawa with a birdie on Sunday. At one point, Hovland reached 20 under par, becoming the solo leader. Hovland had been struggling but found new direction after working with swing coach Joe Mayo. “I always like to improve and expand my knowledge,” Hovland said after the tournament’s opening round.
The 17th hole proved challenging, with DeChambeau missing from 22 feet and Hovland missing a 9-foot birdie putt, giving Schauffele an advantage as he posted par on the 15th.
The tournament saw unexpected turns, notably with Scheffler’s arrest on Friday outside the event. According to his attorney, Steve Romines, Scheffler was trying to follow police directions but was arrested after an officer misunderstood his actions. Scheffler, accused of dragging an officer with his car, saw his charges potentially being dropped as discussions continued.
However, the incident affected Scheffler’s performance, leading to an early fade on Saturday and ending his streak of 42 consecutive rounds at par or better. Despite his struggle, the fierce competition among other players created an intense battle for the title, ultimately culminating in Schauffele’s victory.