Scottie Scheffler Secures First PGA Championship and Third Major Victory

A year ago, Scottie Scheffler dominated headlines due to an unexpected arrest at this very event. Now, the world’s top-ranked golfer has claimed his inaugural PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, exchanging a moment of infamy for the prestigious Wanamaker Trophy.
Scheffler concluded Sunday’s final round at 11-under par, finishing five strokes ahead of Bryson DeChambeau, Davis Riley, and Harris English. Despite a bogey on the 18th hole, he celebrated with fervor, tossing his cap to the ground, sharing a heartfelt embrace with caddie Ted Scott, and soon reuniting with his wife, Meredith, and their son amidst the cheering crowd.
This triumph marks the 28-year-old’s third major title, following victories at the Masters in 2022 and 2024.
“This course demands your full attention,” Scheffler remarked. “It was odd on holes 7, 8, and 9, I struck what felt like solid tee shots, only to see them veer 30 yards left of my target, which was unusual. As I made the turn, I realigned my focus, hitting precise tee shots on 10 and 11. From there, I executed well, finding fairways and greens consistently. Those back nine holes were crucial, and I played them exceptionally when it mattered most.”
When CNN’s Patrick Snell asked Scheffler to reflect on his journey from his first major win to fatherhood and now a third major he admitted it was “tough to articulate.”
“Meredith and I were chatting this morning, and we still feel like high school sweethearts. It’s like we just started dating yesterday. Life out here is incredible right now,” Scheffler said. “This is thrilling, but back home, life remains beautifully ordinary. We’ve got a wonderful life, great friends, and I’m eager to return and celebrate with them.”
Scheffler now stands alongside golfing legends Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as one of the few to amass three major titles and 15 PGA Tour victories.

A Rocky Start to 2025

The 2025 season began on a sour note for Scheffler. A “foolish” injury sustained on Christmas Day required hand surgery, delaying his season’s start.
He returned in late January at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in Northern California but struggled to find his form, going winless until a breakthrough victory two weeks ago at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas.

Scores Can Be Misleading

Scheffler joins Seve Ballesteros as one of only two golfers in the last century to win each of their first three majors by more than three strokes.
Yet, Sunday’s final round was no walk in the park for the world’s best. Entering with a three-stroke lead, Scheffler stumbled with three bogeys on the front nine, erasing his advantage. LIV Golf’s Jon Rahm capitalized, surging into contention for his third major.
However, Rahm, the 2021 US Open and 2023 Masters champion, faltered on Quail Hollow’s notorious Green Mile, carding a bogey and two double-bogeys to finish at 2-over for the day, tying for eighth.
As Rahm faded, Scheffler regained his composure, notching consecutive birdies on holes 14 and 15 to seize the lead for good.

Rahm’s Perspective

The 30-year-old Spaniard and former Arizona State standout admitted this collapse was uncharted territory.
“This is the first time I’ve been so close to winning a major and didn’t pull through. In the past, when I’ve led on Sunday, I’ve always closed it out. This feels different,” Rahm told reporters.
“I’m not sure how to process it, but family is the best remedy. I’ll get home, hopefully in time to tuck the kids in. To them, whether I win or lose, it doesn’t matter. That perspective helps. It’s not the end of the world I’m not a doctor or first responder where a bad day has dire consequences. I’ll move forward.”

A Year of Redemption

After his victory, Scheffler hinted at a few “jokes” about last year’s arrest but wisely kept them to himself, noting it was “not a good idea” to share. Instead, he reflected on the joy of holding the trophy a year later.
“Last year still feels surreal. I can’t fully describe it, but sitting here with the trophy now is incredibly rewarding,” he said.
In 2024, Scheffler was detained at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, after attempting to navigate around a fatal crash scene before his tee time. Charged with felony second-degree assault on a police officer, along with lesser counts of criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals, the ordeal ended with all charges dropped.
Scheffler described the incident as a “severe miscommunication in a chaotic situation,” harboring no resentment toward the arresting officer. He finished that tournament eight shots behind winner Xander Schauffele, tying for eighth.
Now, Scheffler sets his sights on a fourth major title at next month’s US Open at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania.