Xander Schauffele sank a tension-packed six-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th hole at Valhalla Golf Club, securing his first major triumph with the lowest score in major history. Schauffele’s one-stroke victory over Bryson DeChambeau ended a two-year victory drought and a career milestone for the 30-year-old golfer.
Also Read: Chelsea Wins Fifth Consecutive WSL Title
This year’s US PGA Championship turned into a gripping three-horse race involving Xander Schauffele, DeChambeau, and Norway’s Viktor Hovland.
With none dropping a shot until the 10th hole of the final round. The tournament’s drama escalated when Xander Schauffele needlessly used a wood from a fairway bunker, costing him a shot. He rebounded with birdies on the 11th and 12th holes.
Hovland and DeChambeau played the front nine in 32, while Schauffele managed to outdo them by one stroke.
On a course that promised a birdie-fest, every hole brought its share of excitement and pressure. Pars were simply not enough in this high-stakes environment.
DeChambeau’s chance seemed to vanish after a wayward drive on the 16th hole clattered into the trees, only to miraculously rebound into the middle of the fairway. This stroke of luck allowed him to make a birdie, keeping him within one shot of Schauffele.
His resilience was on full display as he celebrated with fist pumps and roars to the Valhalla galleries after birdieing the 18th carding a total of 64 for the day.
Hovland had a chance to join DeChambeau at 20 under but faltered on the final holes. His missed birdie putt on the 17th and bogey dropped him to 18 under. Despite his strong performance, the pressure proved too much and he finished third.
The 30-year-old Xander Schauffele faced pressure as he approached the 72nd hole. His drive landed on the edge of a fairway bunker.
He advanced the ball to within 35 yards of the hole and then executed a precise chip leaving himself a six-foot putt for the championship. With nerves of steel, Schauffele sank the putt, securing his victory and the Wanamaker Trophy.
Lowry’s challenge faded after missing a short birdie putt on the 1st hole. He carded birdies on the 3rd and 4th but struggled to capitalize on the par-five 7th.
Lowry finished tied for sixth at 14 under. The two-time major champion had a frustrating final round, by 14 straight pars before bogeying the 15th.
His birdie on the last hole left him five shots off the lead, finishing tied for fourth. The veteran Englishman also tied for sixth after a strong performance, becoming only the second player over 40 to make five consecutive top-15 finishes at this tournament.
The Scotsman closed with a superb eagle, finishing at 13 under to cap a solid week. The world number one faced a week including an arrest and charges of assault.
Scheffler finished tied for eighth after a final round of 65. McIlroy’s weekend was hampered by personal issues and inconsistent play. He finished nine shots back.
Also Read: Sunil Chhetri Announces Retirement from International Football
Xander Schauffele captured his first major title at the PGA Championship. Schauffele secured the win with a nerve-wracking six-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th hole.
This win snapped a two-year victory drought for Schauffele, who had not won since the 2022 Scottish Open.
Xander Schauffele’s final score of 21-under 263 broke the previous 72-hole record low under-par winning score of 20-under, achieved four times before, most recently by Cameron Smith at the 2022 British Open.
Xander Schauffele matched the lowest round in major history with a nine-under 62 on Thursday. On Sunday, he fired a six-under par 65 to edge out fellow American Bryson DeChambeau by one stroke. Xander Schauffele had 12 top-10 major finishes without a win.
DeChambeau rolled in a birdie putt from just beyond 10 feet at the 18th, momentarily tying Schauffele for the lead at 20-under.
Xander Schauffele’s tee shot on the 18th landed in the left rough on the edge of a fairway bunker. His second shot placed him 36 yards from the hole, setting up his approach to six feet from the pin.
Xander Schauffele’s stated, “I was actually kind of emotional after the putt lipped in,” Schauffele said. “It has been a while since I’ve won. I kept saying it all week, ‘I just need to stay in my lane.’ And man, was it hard to stay in my lane today.”
Bryson DeChambeau, the 2020 US Open champion, praised Schauffele: “Proud of Xander for finally getting the job done. He’s an amazing golfer and well-deserved major champion now.”
Also Read: Rose Zhang Wins Founders Cup, Ending Nelly Korda’s Streak
Xander Schauffele’s victory earned him $3.33 million from an $18.5 million, while DeChambeau took home $1.998 million.
The Olympic champion’s victory at Valhalla further cements his status in the golfing world. The Competition DeChambeau closed with a bogey-free 64.
Norway’s Viktor Hovland, last year’s PGA runner-up, finished third with a score of 266 after shooting a 66. Belgium’s Thomas Detry and Collin Morikawa shared fourth place with a score of 269.
England’s Justin Rose and Ireland’s Shane Lowry shared sixth on 270. World number one Scottie Scheffler finished eighth with a final score of 271.
DeChambeau expressed optimism for the future, “I played well. Shot 20-under par in a major championship. Proud of myself for the way I handled adversity. Definitely disappointing, but one that gives me a lot of momentum for the rest of the majors.”
The next major on the calendar is the US Open at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in North Carolina, starting June 13. Despite his previous runner-up finishes and numerous top-10 placements, Schauffele remained focused.
DeChambeau’s consistent play with a stroke of luck at the 16th hole, kept the pressure on Schauffele until the very end.
Hovland’s missed 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th ended his chances resulting in a bogey. Schauffele’s victory is reminiscent of Phil Mickelson’s 2005 PGA Championship win at Baltusrol, where Mickelson also birdied the 72nd hole to win.
Also Read: Novak Djokovic Hit on Head by Water Bottle at Italian Open
