Xander Schauffele etched his name into the annals of golf history with a sensational victory at the PGA Championship. Schauffele won his first major title with a 6-foot birdie putt on the last hole, denying Bryson DeChambeau a playoff after a riveting finish down the stretch.
His remarkable triumph was underscored by achieving the lowest score in major championship history, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.
Record-Breaking Performance at the PGA Championship
The Olympic gold medalist, Xander Schauffele, captured something even more valuable in silver — the enormous Wanamaker Trophy — after an exhilarating week at Valhalla. Schauffele closed the tournament with a remarkable 6-under 65 to narrowly beat Bryson DeChambeau.
The excitement didn’t wane until the end, with Schauffele sinking a 6-foot birdie putt on the final hole that took a full ride around the cup before finally going down. This birdie not only secured his first major championship title but also etched his name in the history books for having the lowest score in major championship history.
The bookmakers predicted this moment, with Schauffele listed as one with the best golf odds to walk away with the PGA Championship when the tournament began. Before this week, Schauffele had gained the reputation as the best player in the world without a major championship. He now moves from No. 3 in the world to No. 2 with the victory.
Schauffele’s path to victory at the PGA Championship was anything but easy. He faced a series of challenges, including dealing with mud on his golf ball on two crucial holes along the back nine, which stifled his ability to attack the flag.
Schauffele’s remarkable shot from the edge of a bunker on the 18th, where he had to stand with his feet in the sand and grip down on a 4-iron, was a testament to his skill and perseverance. Aimed out to the right, the shot landed 35 yards short but provided a good angle for his pitch to the pin.
With his caddie and former San Diego State teammate Austin Kaiser by his side, Schauffele confidently sank the crucial putt. “I told myself this is my opportunity — capture it,” he remarked. The ball broke just enough to catch the left edge of the cup and swirled in, leading to a euphoric celebration.
Read More: Can Roma Make Up for Their Loss in Last Season’s Final?
Schauffele raised his arms above his head, sporting the biggest smile, and embraced Kaiser in a heartfelt hug. Viktor Hovland, the reigning FedEx Cup champion, also had a shot at tying for the lead with his 10-foot birdie putt after DeChambeau.
However, he missed the putt and, subsequently, a meaningless par putt, finishing with a 66 to secure third place. Schauffele’s thrilling win at the PGA Championship marks a watershed moment in his career, promising even more spectacular achievements in the future.
Xander schauffele’s Journey to Major Victory
Xander Schauffele’s journey to his major victory at the PGA Championship is a testament to his perseverance and skill. Schauffele started the championship with an astonishing 62, tying the major championship record.
His consistent performance throughout the tournament saw him finish at 21-under 263, a score that surpasses the previous major record held by Brooks Koepka (2018 PGA) and Henrik Stenson (2016 Open).
His final birdie on the last hole was not just the winning stroke but also a record-breaking moment, etching his name into the annals of golfing history.
The week at Valhalla was filled with drama on and off the course. Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, who had just become a father, was arrested on Friday morning due to a misunderstanding with the police during an investigation of a fatal car crash.
Read More: Who wins Champions League Manager of the Season?
Despite this setback, Scheffler managed to play an impressive second round, shooting a 66. However, the emotional toll caught up with him, and he eventually fell out of contention, finishing tied for eighth after his first over-par round since August.
Shane Lowry also made headlines by matching the major record with a 62 on Saturday. Schauffele’s path to victory wasn’t smooth; he had faced close calls and near misses in previous tournaments.
He had eight consecutive top-20 finishes at majors coming into Valhalla, including two runner-up finishes and six top-5s. In recent months, he saw potential victories slip away, such as when Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy chased him down with remarkable rounds at The Players Championship and the Wells Fargo Championship, respectively.
His victory at the PGA Championship, his eighth on the PGA Tour, was a culmination of lessons learned from these past experiences. The PGA win all but cements Schauffele’s spot on the Olympic roster, with the top four-ranked Americans in the world going over to Paris.
Wyndham Clark is also likely heading to Paris with Patrick Cantlay, Collin Morikawa, Max Homa, and Brian Harman all currently in a tight battle for the fourth and final spot to represent America.
The U.S. Open: What to Expect
The U.S. Open will be held at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina from June 13-16. While Valhalla was a birdie fest, Pinehurst is expected to be anything but. The course is known for its undulating fast greens with plenty of roll-off areas and sand lined up outside the fairways instead of rough.
Read More: T20 World Cup Winners List
In three previous U.S. Opens, a combined four players have broken par, with just one player (Martin Kaymer) shooting better than one under par. Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy, and Viktor Hovland are installed as the early odds-on favourites for the championship.
McIlroy, who hasn’t won a major in nearly 10 years, has had a lot of success at recent U.S. Open setups, finishing with five straight top-10s, including a runner-up finish a year ago to champion Wyndham Clark.
