With birdie on 18, Xander Schauffele wins PGA Championship for first major title
Xander Schauffele’s arduous quest for a major championship title culminated in triumph last Sunday at Valhalla Golf Club. The 30-year-old from San Diego emerged victorious at the PGA Championship, navigating a crowded leader board that resembled a Kentucky horse race early on. Schauffele faced a critical six-foot birdie putt that would define his career. The…
Xander Schauffele’s arduous quest for a major championship title culminated in triumph last Sunday at Valhalla Golf Club. The 30-year-old from San Diego emerged victorious at the PGA Championship, navigating a crowded leader board that resembled a Kentucky horse race early on. Schauffele faced a critical six-foot birdie putt that would define his career.
The putt narrowly slid into the hole, circling the edge before dropping in, securing Schauffele’s first major win on his 28th attempt. This victory was a testament to his perseverance, marked by 12 top-10 finishes without a win until now.
By Sunday evening, Schauffele was atop the leaderboard with a score of 21 under par on a course that players treated as an opportunity rather than a challenge. His final round of 65 edged out Bryson DeChambeau, who ended at 20 under after an impressive 64. DeChambeau, the 2020 U.S. Open champion, aimed to become the second consecutive PGA champion from the Saudi-funded LIV Golf circuit.
DeChambeau had tied Schauffele at 20 under by sinking an 11-foot putt on No. 18, creating the possibility of a playoff. This would have been the third playoff in four PGA Championships at Valhalla. DeChambeau thrived among the leading trio, including Schauffele and Viktor Hovland, who finished third at 18 under after a final bogey.
After finishing the 72nd hole alongside Hovland, DeChambeau quickly headed to the practice range, maintaining hope as Schauffele played his final two holes. Schauffele managed to get up and down on both, maintaining his lead. His typically calm demeanor showed signs of strain as he navigated No. 18, stopping at the fringe of a fairway bunker, 225 yards from the green with a difficult stance. He executed a 4-iron shot to the front of the green and then positioned his approach to six feet from the hole.
When Schauffele sank the putt, his joy illuminated Louisville, marking the end of his long and determined journey to his first major championship.
