Scottie Scheffler held his nerve to claim a commanding victory at the PGA Championship in Charlotte, securing his third major title with a five-shot win at Quail Hollow on Sunday. Despite a mid-round surge from Jon Rahm that threatened to derail his lead, the world number one stayed composed on the back nine to finish the week at 11 under par.
Scheffler began the final round with a three-stroke advantage, but early struggles off the tee saw his lead narrow as Rahm, playing two groups ahead, mounted a spirited challenge. The Spaniard briefly caught Scheffler atop the leaderboard with a birdie at the 11th hole, but the American quickly responded with a clutch putt of his own on the 10th to retake control.
As Rahm’s momentum faded with a disastrous closing stretch, dropping five shots over the final three holes, including a double bogey at the 17th, Scheffler remained steady. He picked up crucial birdies at the 14th and 15th to stretch his lead and ultimately signed for an even par 71, sealing the largest margin of victory at a PGA Championship since Rory McIlroy’s eight-shot win in 2012.
“Finishing off a major championship is always difficult,” said Scheffler. “I didn’t have my best stuff, but I kept myself in it and stepped up on the back nine. I had a really good nine holes, and that made the difference.”
Rahm, who started the day five shots back, looked poised to mount a serious title bid after three birdies in four holes around the turn. But a missed opportunity on the 13th and a wayward tee shot into the water at 17 saw his hopes unravel. He finished in a tie for eighth at four under par.
“Pretty fresh wound right now,” Rahm admitted. “But there’s a lot of positive feelings to take from this week for the rest of the season.”
Ryder Cup hopeful Harris English delivered the round of the day with a seven-under 65 to vault into a share of second place alongside fellow Americans Bryson DeChambeau and Davis Riley. DeChambeau, last year’s runner-up, played consistently from tee to green but rued missed chances with the putter.
“I felt like I had the game to win,” said DeChambeau. “Just missed a few putts down the stretch and got a little unlucky. It was a good fight, though, and it fuels the fire for what’s next.”
Alex Noren, who began the day in solo second and paired with Scheffler in the final group, saw his challenge fade with three bogeys early on the back nine. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy struggled to build momentum, finishing in a tie for 47th after a closing 72. It was his first major appearance since completing the career Grand Slam at last month’s Masters.
Defending champion Xander Schauffele ended his title defence with a final round 68, which included a highlight moment, a 46-foot eagle chip at the par four eighth. He finished the week at one under.
Scheffler’s latest triumph cements his status as the dominant force in men’s golf and reaffirms his position at the top of the world rankings. With the U.S. Open on the horizon, the 27-year-old heads into the next major as the undisputed man to beat.
