CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As the golf ball sailed through the air, Scottie Scheffler`s feet remained still. He watched his high tee shot reach its peak before landing perfectly short of the 14th green, bouncing forward and rolling onto the surface as if it were a putt.
From an impressive 304 yards away, Scheffler placed the ball just 2 feet, 9 inches from the hole. The subsequent eagle putt was merely a formality that elevated him to an 8-under score, tying for the lead. Yet, it felt more like a clear announcement across Quail Hollow Country Club of a recurring theme in professional golf over the past two years: Scottie Scheffler is seemingly inevitable.
For the initial two days of the PGA Championship, the top of the leaderboard featured a surprising mix of names. But when Scheffler made eagle on the 14th hole on Saturday, followed by birdies on the 15th, 17th, and 18th holes to reach 11-under par and secure a three-shot lead after 54 holes, it was as if the natural order had been restored. Even this major, which had been notably unique and puzzling through the first 36-plus holes, eventually found its center.
“I try to focus as much as possible on executing the shot,” Scheffler said. “There are factors out there that are beyond your control. I can`t influence what other players are doing, nor can I control unexpected wind gusts or how the ball reacts when it hits the green. My sole focus is attempting to hit the shot I`m aiming for. Some days, it works out better than others.”
As Scheffler surged into the lead, his apparent inevitability was reinforced by the fact that others began to fade. Quail Hollow`s demanding closing stretch, known as the Green Mile, took its toll on several contenders, resulting in Jon Rahm`s bogey on the 17th and Bryson DeChambeau`s double bogey on the same hole.
“I`m three shots back with one round remaining in a major championship,” DeChambeau stated upon finishing his round. “So, I can`t complain too much.”
“I anticipate starting tomorrow at least one shot behind,” said two-time major winner Rahm after reaching 6-under on Saturday. “But that`s still a solid position.”
The challenge was that the world`s top-ranked player still had holes left to play, and Scheffler navigated the difficult Green Mile at 2-under par. Consequently, Rahm will begin Sunday five shots behind Scheffler, while DeChambeau will need to overcome a six-shot deficit.
Three players are closer to Scheffler entering Sunday than Rahm. Alex Noren, 42, who is recovering from a tendon tear in his hamstring, is three shots back and is scheduled to play with Scheffler. Noren finished tied for 51st in the previous week`s tournament. Davis Riley and J.T. Poston, both at 7-under, will follow. Riley has achieved two top-10 finishes this season, but he also has five missed cuts and more missed cuts than made cuts in majors throughout his career. Meanwhile, Poston has never finished higher than 30th in a major championship.
In essence, Scheffler isn`t facing immediate pressure from the world`s absolute best players right behind him on the leaderboard. This explains why, despite their larger deficits, Rahm and DeChambeau might be considered Scheffler`s most capable potential adversaries. Both Rahm and DeChambeau are also aiming for their third major victory.
This week marks the first time since he joined LIV Golf that Rahm has genuinely contended in a major and had a realistic chance to add to his major wins. Winning the PGA Championship would not only give him three majors; it would position him to complete the career Grand Slam at The Open Championship at Northern Ireland`s Royal Portrush, echoing Rory McIlroy`s recent achievement.
“It`s difficult to articulate how hungry I am for a major,” a smiling Rahm said, “probably as hungry as anyone could be in this position. I`m extremely happy to be in contention again.”
Throughout this week, Rahm has played steadily. He ranks first in the field for strokes gained off the tee and 20th in approach play, although he has lost nearly a full stroke around the greens. This is arguably one of his most complete performances in a major since his 2023 Masters win, but it might still lack the explosive firepower needed to overtake Scheffler.
DeChambeau`s third round stalled what had appeared to be another major Sunday where he would start just a stroke or two behind the leader. Given his strong driving, it`s understandable that this course fits DeChambeau`s game well. However, similar to his experience at Augusta, his approach play (ranking 54th in the field this week) might again prevent him from having a true opportunity for his third major title.
Betting Favorites for the 2025 PGA Championship
| Scottie Scheffler | +200 |
| Bryson DeChambeau | +750 |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | 13-1 |
| Jhonattan Vegas | 13-1 |
| Max Homa | 15-1 |
DeChambeau stated, “All I can do is control what`s within my control, and if I go out there and shoot 6 or 7 under, that`s what I`m focused on achieving.” He added a significant caveat: “Not that doing that guarantees anything, but you never know.”
In the lead-up to the event at Quail Hollow, much of the discussion had rightfully centered on McIlroy, who was fresh off a historic, potentially sport-altering victory at the Masters that completed his long-sought Grand Slam. However, Scheffler, who had just won his most recent tournament start by eight shots, was still considered a co-favorite and remained the sport`s true benchmark.
During the opening two days, Scheffler posted comfortable rounds of 69 and 68. None of this felt particularly remarkable because his ability to shoot under par even without his absolute best performance has become routine. The standard he has set for himself is so exceptionally high that the only way he could genuinely surprise people is by not finishing inside the top 10 of a tournament. Yet, even with six top-10 finishes this season before his win at the Byron Nelson two weeks prior, there was some discussion about the state of his game. Scheffler has displayed some on-course frustration but continues to preach patience.
“Golf isn`t really a sport where you can force things,” Scheffler commented. “If you`re playing a sport like football or basketball, you can try to force outcomes through adrenaline or physical force. In golf, I feel it`s more about allowing the scores to unfold naturally, and you need significantly more patience in this sport than in others, especially over the course of a 72-hole tournament.”
This week, Scheffler has performed like the world`s number one player once again, ranking within the top 10 in strokes gained off the tee, on approach, and around the green. Crucially, his putting has been more than adequate (ranking 36th in the field), and his well-known strong mindset, enabling him to bounce back from less-than-ideal shots or holes, appears to be in peak condition. This combination is precisely the recipe that has secured him two green jackets.
“I am out there to perform at my highest level and try to conquer the golf course,” Scheffler said. “Ultimately, that is what I am focused on. If I were thinking about what someone else is doing out there, that would not be beneficial for my game.”
On Sunday, Scheffler has the luxury of focusing solely on himself and the course. His competitors may assert that they will only concentrate on controlling their own performance, but deep down, they understand this truth: For them to have any chance of raising the Wanamaker Trophy, golf`s most persistent force will need to falter.
