“The Starter” recaps the week gone by in golf. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, provides his insights for RG. This week, Elliott breaks down Scottie Scheffler’s PGA Championship victory, his third major championship win.
World No. 1 Captures Third Major Title After Mid-Round Battle with Rahm
Scottie Scheffler stood on the 18th green at Quail Hollow Club on Sunday evening, arms raised in triumph before slamming his cap to the turf in an uncharacteristic display of raw emotion. The world’s top-ranked golfer had just secured his third major championship with a five-stroke victory at the 107th PGA Championship, but the path to lifting the Wanamaker Trophy proved far more challenging than the final margin suggested.
Scheffler closed with an even-par 71 to finish at 11-under 273, comfortably ahead of Davis Riley, Harris English, and Bryson DeChambeau, who shared second place at 6-under. The victory adds the Wanamaker Trophy to Scheffler’s growing collection that already includes two Masters green jackets from 2022 and 2024.
From Commanding Lead to Sudden Pressure
What appeared to be a coronation quickly transformed into a tense duel. Scheffler began Sunday with a three-stroke advantage and extended it to five by the middle of the front nine. But the seemingly inevitable victory suddenly came into question when Jon Rahm mounted a charge while Scheffler struggled with his swing.
Scheffler made two bogeys on the front nine, turning in 2-over 37, while Rahm birdied three of four holes around the turn. By the time they reached the 10th tee, the five-shot cushion had completely evaporated, and the two major champions were tied at 9-under.
The Charlotte crowd, which had been anticipating a comfortable Scheffler victory, suddenly found themselves witnessing a genuine battle between two of golf’s premier talents. The tournament that had seemed destined for a predictable finish was now anything but.
Back Nine Brilliance Restores Order
Just when doubt began to creep in, Scheffler responded like the world’s best player. He reclaimed the solo lead with a 9-foot birdie putt at the par-5 10th hole, then played flawless golf down the stretch while Rahm’s challenge faded dramatically.
Scheffler added another birdie at the short par-4 14th, splashing a 25-yard bunker shot to 7 feet and converting the putt. He followed with a tap-in birdie at the par-5 15th after narrowly missing the green with a brilliant 5-wood from 267 yards.
“When it looks like Scheffler might be leaking oil, he makes it clear that isn’t the case,” noted one observer as Scheffler drained a slippery 18-footer for par at the fifth hole, maintaining his momentum even when his approach play temporarily abandoned him.
Meanwhile, Rahm’s challenge collapsed spectacularly on Quail Hollow’s treacherous “Green Mile” finishing stretch. After failing to capitalize on birdie opportunities at 13 and 14, the Spaniard made bogey at 16, then disaster struck at the par-3 17th when his tee shot found the water, leading to a double bogey. Another double at 18 dropped him into a tie for eighth at 4-under, a stunning reversal after being tied for the lead with just seven holes remaining.
Historical Context for Scheffler’s Achievement
Scheffler’s victory places him in rarefied historical company. He joined Seve Ballesteros as the only golfers in the past century to win each of their first three majors by three strokes or more. Scheffler won the 2022 Masters by three shots, the 2024 Masters by four, and now the PGA Championship by five.
At just 28 years old, Scheffler has already amassed 15 PGA Tour victories, including three majors. Since World War II, only Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have reached those milestones before turning 29.
The win also represents a remarkable turnaround from last year’s PGA Championship at Valhalla, where Scheffler made headlines for very different reasons. On May 17, 2024, he was arrested following a misunderstanding with police while trying to enter the golf course, resulting in a booking photo that circulated widely. Though charges were later dropped, the incident overshadowed his performance in that tournament.
One year and one day later, Scheffler has replaced that mugshot with images of him hoisting the Wanamaker Trophy in triumph.
Family Celebration Caps Emotional Victory
After the final putt dropped, Scheffler shared an emotional moment with his family greenside. His wife, Meredith, and infant son Bennett were there to greet him, along with his parents, Scott Sr. and Diane.
“Words cannot describe what we just witnessed,” his father told him. “You are so tough. We are so proud of you.”
The scene provided a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased both Scheffler’s dominance and resilience. After opening with rounds of 69-68, he seized control with a third-round 65 that included an eagle at the par-4 14th and three birdies in his final four holes on Saturday.
That cushion proved crucial when Sunday’s round became more challenging than anticipated. Despite the mid-round stumble, Scheffler’s ability to reset and dominate the closing holes demonstrated why he remains golf’s preeminent player.
Looking Ahead: Golf’s New Standard-Bearer
With three major championships now in his possession, Scheffler has firmly established himself as this generation’s player to beat in golf’s biggest events. His combination of power, precision, and mental fortitude has created a package that competitors increasingly find difficult to match.
As the golf world turns its attention to next month’s U.S. Open, the question becomes not whether Scheffler will contend, but whether anyone can mount a sustained challenge against him. His performance at Quail Hollow—weathering adversity before pulling away with clinical efficiency—suggests that even when not at his absolute best, Scheffler possesses the tools to separate himself from the field.
For now, though, golf’s dominant force can enjoy the satisfaction of adding another prestigious trophy to his rapidly expanding collection. The Wanamaker Trophy, standing nearly two and a half feet tall, makes a fitting addition for a player whose stature in the game continues to grow with each passing tournament.
