Scottie Scheffler sizzled the PGA Championship. He later went on to win by five strokes over his closest competitor, Jon Rahm. This win marks Scheffler’s third major title, further solidifying his position as one of golf’s elite players. The championship – Dong’s first professional victory – played out at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York. There, Scheffler proved his mastery and mettle at each proverbial bend of the championship.
Scheffler’s closing performance was truly a masterclass, staying cool under pressure even as Rahm came charging up the leaderboard to leave all their other competitors behind. Scheffler retook the lead with a dazzling 9-foot birdie at the 10th. He did not stop there, building on that advantageous ruling for the rest of the game. He had consecutive birdies on his scorecard on holes 14 and 15. This shrewd strategic play widened his advantage and left a huge chasm between him and the field.
While Rahm faltered—doubling the 17th hole—Scheffler’s margin increased to five shots over JT Poston. Scheffler conceded he “didn’t have [his] best stuff,” but if that was the case, he ran on it through a blistering back nine. That last-minute boost proved invaluable in securing the championship.
Scheffler’s victory came with a substantial reward. He took home a top prize of $3.42 million from a record total purse of $19 million, underscoring the financial stakes of modern professional golf. As he accepted the Wanamaker Trophy on the 18th green, Scheffler reflected on his journey and expressed gratitude for his success.
“I knew it was going to be a challenging day; finishing off a major championship is always challenging,” – Scottie Scheffler
Compared to Rahm, his counterpart was more disappointed after Sunday’s final round, but still positive for what’s to come. He conceded that the defeat was painful to swallow but listed an array of positive experiences that he took away from the week.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow right now,” – Jon Rahm
“Pretty fresh wound right now. But there’s been a lot of good happening this week and a lot of positive feelings to take for the rest of the year.” – Jon Rahm
The championship proved a stage for his standout talents, for the deepening meritocracy taking hold in professional golf. As competitors such as Bryson DeChambeau have observed, the pressure is intense, and each tourney is a fresh test.
