Xander Schauffele Makes Major History Again with Record-Tying Performance at PGA Championship
Witness golf history as Xander Schauffele joins elite company with another record-tying round at a major championship. His exceptional play adds to the limited list of golfers who have shot a remarkable 62 in major tournaments, solidifying his place among the greats.
Xander Schauffele has made history by shooting a 62 in a men's major championship, a feat that has only been accomplished four times before. He is now responsible for the last two instances.
In a stunning display of skill, the American golfer shot the lowest round score in a major's history at Valhalla Golf Club during the PGA Championship in Kentucky. This impressive performance catapulted him into an early three-shot lead.
Xander Schauffele, currently ranked as the world No.3, made an impressive performance by sinking nine birdies without any bogeys. This helped him to achieve a remarkable nine-under 62, setting a new course record. This score also goes down in history as the best ever shot in the 106 editions of the event, surpassing the previous record of 63.
In a similar display of skill, Schauffele had opened with the same number of birdies at the 126th US Open in June last year. This outstanding performance allowed him to match the tournament's best ever score in less than 30 minutes after his compatriot Rickie Fowler had set a new record.
Schauffele told reporters Thursday that he would gladly take a 62 in any major tournament. He expressed that it was a fantastic beginning to a significant event. Schauffele mentioned that there are always areas where he could have performed better, but overall he was pleased with his performance.
Schauffele delivered yet another historic round.
Schauffele delivered yet another historic round.
Branden Grace from South Africa made history at the Open Championship in 2017. He managed to break the tournament's record during the third round at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images captured this incredible moment.
Ominously though, none of those three historic feats ended in silverware, a fate Schauffele will be desperate to avoid as he chases a long-awaited first major crown.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 12: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates with the trophy after winning the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club on May 12, 2024 in Clifton, North Carolina. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland is seen celebrating with the trophy at the Wells Fargo Championship held at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 12, 2024. The photo was taken by Andrew Redington and is credited to Getty Images.
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The 30-year-old golfer has won seven times on the PGA Tour and is always in contention for major championships. He has come close to winning with 12 top-10 finishes in majors. However, if he continues to fall short in these prestigious events, he risks being remembered as one of the most talented players to never win a major.
He has finished as a runner-up in majors twice before, at the 2018 Open Championship and the 2019 Masters. Just last week, he experienced the same heartbreak at the hands of Rory McIlroy, who is currently ranked No. 2 in the world, at the Wells Fargo Championship.
Schauffele is playing some of the best golf of his career this season and is eager to translate that form into a Wanamaker Trophy win on Sunday.
He mentioned, "I think not winning only fuels my desire to win even more, it's a strange feeling."
It motivates me to work harder and harder as I react to it and feel the desire for more and more.
Although the top seems out of reach and there is a lot of work ahead, I am determined to keep chipping away at it slowly.
Scheffler enters with eagle
Scottie Scheffler is as likely as any to extend Schauffele’s wait, and made a start that surpassed even his unparalleled expectations.
Playing his first hole as a new father, the world's No.1 golfer wasted no time in making an impressive eagle with only two swings from 167 yards.
Scheffler continued his hot streak by shooting a 67, adding to his successful year. The 27-year-old is aiming for his fifth win in six tournaments and a back-to-back major title after winning The Masters in April.
Scheffler mentioned that he would like to fix a few mistakes. He felt that he missed two putts that he should have made today, but he understands that it can happen when the greens get a bit rough.
He also mentioned that there are a couple of things he can work on for tomorrow, but he believed that today's round was overall solid.
Scheffler is pursuing a third career major this week.
Scheffler is pursuing a third career major this week.
Matt York/AP
Tiger Woods had looked on course to make a solid start of his own at his 23rd PGA Championship, only for a closing pair of sloppy three putts to drop him to one-over 72.
The four-time champion finished his round with two bogeys in a row. This means he will need to put in some effort if he wants to continue his streak of making the cut at the Masters and play through the weekend in another major tournament.
On Thursday, the 48-year-old shared his perspective, saying, "You have to just grind it out. It’s a marathon. Major championships are a long grind … it’s not a sprint."
To win a tournament, you must first make the cut. The goal is to reach the weekend in order to compete and potentially win.
Some players have found success by making the cut and then winning tournaments. Others have taken the lead early on and gone on to win.
Woods endured a disappointing end to an otherwise promising round.
Woods endured a disappointing end to an otherwise promising round.
American golfers Tony Finau and Sahith Theegala are currently in second place behind Schauffele, shooting a 66. They are one shot ahead of Northern Irishman McIlroy and Scottish Ryder Cup teammate Robert MacIntyre.
Defending champion Brooks Koepka shot a 67 in his quest for a fourth PGA Championship victory, leading the pack by two strokes over fellow American Jordan Spieth, who is aiming for a grand slam.
The second round of the tournament will kick off on Friday at 7:15 a.m. ET (12:15 p.m. BST), with current leader Schauffele starting his round at 1:18 p.m. ET (6:15 p.m. BST).
Editor's P/S:
Xander Schauffele's historic 62 at the PGA Championship showcases his exceptional talent and determination. His ability to sink nine birdies without any bogeys is a testament to his skill and focus. Despite his impressive performance, Schauffele remains grounded and recognizes areas for improvement. His unwavering pursuit of a major victory is evident in his relentless efforts and positive attitude.
This article highlights the significance of Schauffele's accomplishment, placing it in the context of previous historic rounds in major championships. It also acknowledges the challenges he faces in translating his consistent top-10 finishes into a major win. Additionally, the article provides updates on other notable players in the tournament, including Scottie Scheffler's strong start and Tiger Woods' disappointing finish. The upcoming second round promises to be exciting, with Schauffele aiming to maintain his lead and other contenders vying for the title.
