Scottie Scheffler cemented his status as kingpin of the new professional golf. He did that with a wire-to-wire victory at the PGA Championship played at Quail Hollow. At the ripe age of just 27, Scheffler won his third major title, further solidifying his place in the professional game as one of its brightest stars. He won the Masters in style, using that skill and composure to walk away with a five-stroke victory.
This latest triumph adds to Scheffler’s already illustrious resume, which now includes three major championships achieved with a 54-hole lead. His ability to maintain control and deliver under pressure has made him the current No. 1 player in the world, surpassing accomplished golfers such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, and Justin Thomas in the rankings.
Scheffler’s game is all about the steady play, not the flashy play. He exhibits the most amazing poise, even when a freak show mistake occurs. He proved this concept masterfully throughout the World Cup, especially in knockout rounds. As his colleagues have pointed out, he’s been ludicrously consistent. He’s able to rely on that and win without completely unlocking his best self, but when he does hit that next level, he usually turns those wins into landslide victories.
During the last nine of the championship’s finale, Scheffler landed a pivotal birdie putt on the 14th green to tie for the lead. That mighty eagle put him up by two shots! This crucial moment definitely appeared to doom his fate as a major champion once more. He wasted little time going deep by adding three more birdies in the next four holes. This wave gave a sense of inevitability to his win for fans and challengers alike.
By the time Scheffler had walked up the 18th fairway, he was overcome. Afterward, he dabbed his eyes with tears of joy, before throwing his cap onto the grass in victory. His tearful outburst highlighted just how valuable this win was to his overall career.
“He wants to win every time he goes out here, regardless if it’s golf, pickleball, whatever it is, he wants to win,” – Smith
Scheffler’s poise under pressure has earned him high praise as well from his fellow competitors on the course. Luke Donald remarked on how challenging it is to compete against players like Scheffler who consistently avoid errors and maintain their game throughout the competition.
“He just sort of played his game, didn’t make too many mistakes and wore you down, and I certainly experienced that in 2006,” – Luke Donald
All of Scheffler’s competitors were in agreement about the intimidating presence that the new World No. 1 adds to the sport. Every time he hits a shot, he got to know that it’s a weighty shot that results in success more often than not.
“I’ve played a lot of golf with him, and it seems like every shot has a magnitude of force and just finds its way up there,” – Sam Burns
Scheffler is three-quarters of the way to golf’s Grand Slam. complaint, especially considering he’s already won three major championships in the first half of his career. Even as far as Rory McIlroy’s extraordinary season compared to these lofty standards, Scheffler is still largely considered the best player in golf right now.
Jon Rahm emphasized the mental aspect of competing against top players like Scheffler, highlighting how leaderboard awareness can impact a player’s performance.
“Even if you don’t want to look at leaderboards,” – Jon Rahm
Scheffler’s back nine at Quail Hollow will undoubtedly be etched in his memory as a testament to his resilience and skill. It’s his poise in the clutch which truly separates him from most of the rest of his draft class.
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