Scheffler still the man to beat, says Schauffele despite major title

Xander Schauffele has praised Scottie Scheffler, asserting that despite his own recent triumph at the PGA Championship and his rise to No. 2 in the world rankings, Scheffler remains the player to beat.

Schauffele, an American golfer, had previously been known for faltering under tournament pressure. However, he overcame this reputation by securing an event-record 21-under par to win the PGA Championship. A decisive six-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole clinched his victory, keeping Bryson DeChambeau, who finished one stroke behind, at bay. Viktor Hovland also posed a brief threat but ultimately finished third with an 18-under par. Ryder Cup teammates Shane Lowry and Justin Rose shared sixth place, four shots further back. Scottie Scheffler, after a challenging second day involving a run-in with local police, finished eighth.

Reflecting on his victory, Schauffele commented, “All of us are climbing this massive mountain and at the top of the mountain is Scottie Scheffler. I won this today, but I’m still not that close to Scottie Scheffler in the big scheme of things. I got one good hook up there in the mountain up on that cliff, and I’m still climbing. I might have a beer up there on that side of the hill there and enjoy this, but it’s not that hard to chase when someone is so far ahead of you.”

Schauffele’s journey to victory included just the fourth round of 62 in major golf history on day one, a lead he maintained until the final day.

He shared, “I’m really proud of how I handled certain moments on the course today, different from the past. I was pretty nervous. I really didn’t want to go into a play-off with Bryson.”

Schauffele’s achievement marks a significant milestone in his career, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure and solidifying his position among golf’s elite, even as he continues to chase Scheffler at the top.