American golfer Xander Schauffele secured his first major title by winning the 106th PGA Championship on Sunday. In a tense showdown at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, Schauffele managed to stay ahead of Bryson DeChambeau to clinch the victory.
Despite being pushed to the final hole, World No. 3 Schauffele remained composed and focused. The 30-year-old golfer delivered a birdie on the last hole, finishing one stroke ahead of his competitor DeChambeau with an impressive 21-under par overall score.
Xander Schauffele secured his first major title with a remarkable final round score of six-under 65. This victory finally ended his reputation as one of the most skilled golfers who had never won one of golf's top four tournaments. Despite finishing as a runner-up twice and placing in the top 10 twelve times at major events, Schauffele had always fallen short until now.
The Californian golfer's journey to victory was nothing short of impressive. He kicked off the tournament on Thursday with a sensational 62, which tied the record for the lowest round score in major history. Schauffele then sealed the deal with a composed putt from just over six feet, demonstrating his nerves of steel on the final day.
Schauffele, an eight-time PGA Tour winner, expressed his emotions after sinking the putt. He received a $3.33 million winner's share from the $18.5 million prize purse and was presented with the Wanamaker Trophy.
Reflecting on his victory, Schauffele admitted that it had been a while since his last win. Throughout the week, he kept reminding himself to "stay in my lane." Despite the challenges he faced during the tournament, he managed to stay focused on each hole and his game plan.
“I just told myself, ‘This is my opportunity, and just capture it,’” he added.
Schauffele hoists the Wanamaker Trophy aloft.
Schauffele hoists the Wanamaker Trophy aloft.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
A motivated DeChambeau delivered an impressive performance, shooting a flawless 64 to challenge Schauffele in a heated battle for victory. He was eager to claim his second major title.
After placing tied-sixth at the Masters, the powerful golfer from California seems to be regaining the top-notch form that led him to victory at the US Open in 2020.
DeChambeau expressed his pride in Xander for completing the job and becoming a major champion. He described Xander as an exceptional golfer.
On the other hand, DeChambeau acknowledged feeling disappointed with his own performance. Despite not playing his best throughout the week, he believed he had shown a solid performance with his "B" game. This experience has given him momentum for future majors.
I mentioned earlier that it's closing time now, but hopefully it will be closing time for good in the next few major tournaments.
Norway's Viktor Hovland is currently two shots behind DeChambeau in third place. He is still stuck with the unwanted title that Schauffele has managed to shake off: 'nearly-man.'
The young golfer, aged 26, reached the final tee neck and neck with DeChambeau. However, he could only manage a bogey, leading to his third top-four finish in major tournaments without winning any trophies in the past two years.
DeChambeau pushed Schauffele all the way to the end.
DeChambeau pushed Schauffele all the way to the end.
Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Scheffler ended the week in Louisville with a strong finish. The event was full of chaos, especially after the arrest of the world No. 1 and tournament favorite, Scottie Scheffler, before the second round on Friday.
The 27-year-old is currently dealing with four charges, one of which is felony assault. However, he didn't let that stop him from returning to the game just hours after being released from jail. In fact, he played exceptionally well, shooting an impressive 66.
The Masters champion from last month performed even better with a final score of 65. Despite this strong finish, he had fallen behind after struggling with a two-over 73 on Saturday. This setback prevented him from securing a second consecutive major victory.
He finished eight shots behind Schauffele in a share of eighth, a “good” end to a “hectic” week.
Scheffler escapes a bunker during the final round.
Scheffler escapes a bunker during the final round.
Adam Cairns/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters
Scheffler addressed reporters, stating that he wouldn't blame his poor performance on Friday for his performance yesterday. He mentioned that he will be participating in the PGA Tour's upcoming event in Texas on Thursday.
He acknowledged having a rough day on the course but expressed pride in how he managed to bounce back and perform better today.
Saturday morning, I finally realized the impact of what had happened. On Friday, I barely ate anything throughout the day. For someone who usually loves to eat, it felt strange. It was clear that my body was still reeling from the events of that morning.
Despite feeling off, I tried my best to put it all behind me and focus on competing in what I love. The support from the fans was truly incredible. It felt like they were cheering even louder for me that week. I also received a lot of encouragement from both the players and caddies.
Scheffler is expected to be a top contender once again at the upcoming US Open, which is the next major tournament for men. The event will be held at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in North Carolina starting on June 13.
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Editor's P/S:
Xander Schauffele's victory at the PGA Championship is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and talent. He has long been considered one of the best golfers in the world, and this win finally cements his status as a major champion. His performance throughout the tournament was impressive, and he showed great composure and focus under pressure. His victory is a well-deserved reward for his years of hard work and dedication.
Schauffele's win is also a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. He has never given up on his dream of winning a major championship, and he has finally achieved his goal. His victory is an inspiration to anyone who has ever doubted their ability to achieve their dreams.