CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As his tee shot soared through the air, Scottie Scheffler stood motionless, watching its trajectory. The ball landed perfectly, just shy of the 14th green, then rolled onto the putting surface like a deliberate putt. From 304 yards out, Scheffler had placed the ball within three feet of the hole. The subsequent eagle putt was a mere formality, bringing him to 8-under and a tie for the lead. More significantly, it was a clear signal across Quail Hollow Country Club, reinforcing a widely accepted truth in professional golf over the past couple of years: Scottie Scheffler`s dominance feels undeniable.
During the first two days of the PGA Championship, the leaderboard showcased an array of unexpected contenders. However, Scheffler`s eagle on the 14th hole Saturday, followed by birdies on 15, 17, and 18, propelled him to 11-under par. This impressive finish secured him a commanding three-shot lead going into the final 54 holes, as if restoring natural order. Even this major, which presented unique challenges and surprises through its first 36 holes, eventually gravitated towards its most consistent force.
Scheffler commented on his approach: “I try to concentrate as much as possible on executing the shot. There are elements you simply can`t control out there. I can`t dictate what my competitors are doing, nor can I control sudden wind gusts. I also can`t control how the ball will react upon hitting the green. My sole focus is on hitting the shot I intend to hit. That`s my priority on the course. Some days the execution is better than others.”
While Scheffler ascended to the lead, his seemingly inevitable rise was underscored by his rivals` stumbles. Quail Hollow`s challenging finishing stretch, known as the Green Mile, took its toll on several contenders. Jon Rahm bogeyed the 17th, and Bryson DeChambeau suffered a double bogey on the same hole, derailing his round.
“I`m three strokes back with one round remaining in a major championship,” DeChambeau noted after finishing. “So, I can`t have too many complaints.”
“I anticipate starting tomorrow at least one shot behind,” stated two-time major winner Rahm, after reaching 6-under on Saturday. “But that puts me in a strong position.”
The crucial factor, however, was that the world`s top-ranked player still had holes left to play, and Scheffler navigated the Green Mile exceptionally well, finishing it in 2-under par. Consequently, Rahm will begin Sunday five shots behind Scheffler, while DeChambeau faces a six-shot deficit.
Three players are closer to Scheffler heading into Sunday than Rahm. Alex Noren, at 42 and recovering from a hamstring injury, is three shots back and paired with Scheffler. Noren tied for 51st the previous week. Davis Riley and J.T. Poston are tied at 7-under. Riley has two top-10 finishes this season but also five missed cuts, and he has missed more major cuts in his career than he has made. Poston`s best finish in a major championship is never higher than 30th place.
Simply put, Scheffler isn`t being immediately pursued by the most elite players in the world. This is precisely why, despite their larger deficits, Rahm and DeChambeau might still represent Scheffler`s most formidable challenges. Both are also aiming for their third major championship victory.
This tournament marks Rahm`s most significant contention in a major since joining LIV Golf, presenting him with a real opportunity to add to his major count. Winning the PGA Championship would not only give him three major titles but also set the stage for a potential career Grand Slam at The Open Championship at Royal Portrush, a feat Rory McIlroy recently accomplished.
“It`s difficult to articulate my hunger for a major; I`m probably as hungry as anyone in this situation,” Rahm said with a smile. “I`m extremely happy to be in this position again.”
Rahm has played consistently this week, leading the field in strokes gained off the tee and ranking 20th in approach play. However, he has lost nearly a full stroke around the greens. While this performance is arguably his most complete in a major since winning the 2023 Masters, it might still lack the necessary firepower to catch Scheffler.
DeChambeau`s third round halted what seemed like a pattern of him heading into Sunday just a shot or two off the lead in majors. Quail Hollow`s layout suits his game, particularly his driving, which has been strong. Yet, similar to the Masters, his approach play (ranking 54th this week) appears to be hindering his chances for a third major title.
| Scottie Scheffler | +200 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | +750 |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | 13-1 |
| Jhonattan Vegas | 13-1 |
| Max Homa | 15-1 |
“All I can do is manage what`s within my control, and if I can go out and shoot 6- or 7-under, that`s my objective,” DeChambeau stated, adding a crucial qualifier. “Not that it`s guaranteed to be enough, but you never know.”
Leading up to the Quail Hollow tournament, much of the focus was understandably on Rory McIlroy, following his momentous, sport-defining victory at the Masters which completed his long-sought Grand Slam. However, Scheffler, who had just won his most recent event by an emphatic eight shots, remained a co-favorite and was widely recognized as the sport`s benchmark.
Scheffler`s rounds of 69 and 68 over the first two days felt almost routine. His ability to consistently shoot under par, even when not at his absolute best, has become commonplace. The standard he has established for himself is so exceptionally high that the only way he could genuinely surprise people is by not finishing within the top 10 in a tournament. Even that isn`t always enough; despite six top-10 finishes this season before his win at the Byron Nelson two weeks prior, there were whispers of concern regarding the state of his game. While Scheffler has shown occasional on-course frustration, he has consistently emphasized the importance of patience.
“Golf isn`t really a sport where you can force outcomes. In sports like football or basketball, you can use adrenaline or physical force to push through,” Scheffler explained. “In golf, I believe it`s more about letting the scores materialize naturally. You need considerably more patience in this sport than others, particularly over a 72-hole tournament.”
This week, Scheffler has performed like the world`s undisputed best player, ranking within the top 10 for strokes gained off the tee, approach play, and around the green. Critically, his putting has been more than adequate (36th in the field), and his renowned mental resilience, enabling him to recover from poor shots or holes, appears to be in peak condition. This combination is precisely the formula that has already earned him two green jackets.
“I`m out there aiming to maximize my potential and conquer the golf course, and ultimately, that`s what I`m focused on,” Scheffler asserted. “If I start thinking about what anyone else is doing on the course, it won`t benefit me.”
On Sunday, Scheffler will have the luxury of focusing solely on his own game. While his pursuers may claim they are only concentrating on what they can control, deep down they understand the reality: for them to have any hope of lifting the Wanamaker Trophy, golf`s most consistent force must somehow stumble.
