Move over, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. Scottie Scheffler is joining you on one of golf's most ...

<p>Move over, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. Scottie Scheffler is joining you on one of golf's most exclusive lists.</p><p>The World No. 1 became the third man to win at least three majors and 15 PGA TOUR events by the age of 29 after his triumph at the PGA Championship on Sunday.</p><p>With all of those victories over the past three years, we are officially running out of things to say about Scheffler. With that in mind, let's turn to his peers to describe the man who once again proved he's a level above anybody else in the game.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I don’t know how he gets that ball to ... It’s like he's got a time machine and he goes forward in time and knows exactly what the wind is doing and lands that ball just right," Brian Harman, the 2023 Open Champion, told ESPN on Sunday morning, according to <a href="https://x.com/BrendanPorath/status/1924081311523774906">Brendan Porath of the Fried Egg</a>.</p><p>Scheffler's excellence in the wind was on full display in his electric finish Saturday when he played the final five holes in 5-under - including 2-under on the treacherous "Green Mile" finish in very gusty conditions. Bryson DeChambeau - undoubtedly one of the world's best players - was unable to navigate the same winds, playing the stretch in 3-over and effectively ending his shot at a victory.</p><p>Scheffler is incredibly well-liked on TOUR, and Justin Thomas - a top-5 player in the OWGR - joked it can be difficult to play alongside him.</p><p>"I think it's hard to play with him and be like, ‘Oh, I want to play more like Scottie,'" two-time PGA champion Thomas said in March. "It's like, no duh, who wouldn't want to hit a lot of the fairways and a lot of the greens and be the best ball-striker statistically on Planet Earth for the last couple years?"</p><p>Scheffler's physical gifts are well-documented. He consistently leads tournaments in strokes gained: approach and features one of the best short games in the sport. However, it's his mental approach that's often the most impressive aspect.</p><p>That was evident Sunday after Scheffler saw his three-stoke lead evaporate by the time he walked onto the 10th tee. He bogeyed three holes on the opening side to allow a charging Jon Rahm to match him at the top. While most players would have been rattled, Scheffler simply reset, made three birdies on the final nine holes, and watched as Rahm - and the rest of the field - struggled mightily to keep up.</p><p>"The times I've spent playing with him or even watched, his demeanor and his mental toughness and the way he plots his way around golf courses, and how he just wears people down, ... I think his mental side is what separates him more than people realize," Thomas said.</p><p>Rory McIlroy has long been effusive in his praise for Scheffler and has consistently pointed to his mental approach as something to be envied.</p><p>"I'm a big admirer of Scottie's for a lot of different reasons, but every time I play with him and watch how he plays and how disciplined he is, it's a really cool thing to watch," McIlroy said after winning at Pebble Beach earlier this year, per <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1heRpHliYs4">TenGolf</a>. "I've alluded to it this week, but honestly, just trying to take little bit of a leaf from his book."</p><p>Scheffler might have won last year's PGA Championship at Valhalla if not for a mind-blowing incident where he spent a portion of Friday morning in a Louisville jail cell before racing back for his tee time. That prompted an all-time joke from McIlroy at the U.S. Open a month later.</p><p>"Only thing that took him away from winning a golf tournament was being in a jail cell for an hour," McIlroy said with a laugh, according to <a href="https://x.com/PGATOURKevin/status/1800552869030211946">Kevin Prise of the PGA TOUR</a>.</p><p>They say the best jokes are funny because they're true, right?</p><p>With the Louisville police 476 miles away from Quail Hollow in Kentucky, nobody was left to keep Scheffler from winning the Wanamaker Trophy this time around.</p>

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Be like Scottie: Another Scheffler win validates fellow pros' endless praise

The first couple of hours didn't play out as many anticipated, but the end result was the runaway...

<p>The first couple of hours didn't play out as many anticipated, but the end result was the runaway victory most expected for Scottie Scheffler at the PGA Championship.</p><p>Although Scheffler lost his three-stroke edge by the time he reached the back nine, he hit the gas on the closing stretch, watching his challengers crumble as he cruised to a five-shot win over Bryson DeChambeau, Davis Riley, and Harris English at Quail Hollow.</p><p>The win puts Scheffler in rarefied air, as he joins Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only men in history to win at least three majors and 15 PGA TOUR events before turning 29.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Place</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Round 4 score</th>
<th>Total to par</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Scottie Scheffler</td>
<td>-11</td>
<td>71</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-2</td>
<td>Bryson DeChambeau</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>70</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-2</td>
<td>Harris English</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>65</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-2</td>
<td>Davis Riley</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>72</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-5</td>
<td>Taylor Pendrith</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>68</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-5</td>
<td>J.T. Poston</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>73</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-5</td>
<td>Jhonattan Vegas</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>72</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-8</td>
<td>Jon Rahm</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>73</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-8</td>
<td>Keegan Bradley</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>72</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-8</td>
<td>Matt Fitzpatrick</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>72</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-8</td>
<td>Joe Highsmith</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>71</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-8</td>
<td>Denny McCarthy</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>70</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-8</td>
<td>Si Woo Kim</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>73</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-8</td>
<td>Ryan Gerard</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>70</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-8</td>
<td>Ben Griffin</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-8</td>
<td>Joaquin Niemann</td>
<td>-4</td>
<td>68</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Scheffler entered Sunday with seven straight wins when holding the 54-hole lead, but wobbled early as he battled to keep his ball from going left on the opening nine. Bogeys on the sixth and ninth holes gave the field hope, with Jon Rahm making a strong charge. By the time Rahm reached the 10th tee, he was tied with Scheffler at the top, appearing to set the stage for a dramatic finish.</p><p>A final look at the scoreboard makes that scenario seem unbelievable, but that's where things stood late in the afternoon in Charlotte.</p><p>However, Scheffler made the necessary adjustments to his swing and made birdies on the 10th, 14th, and 15th holes to put the pressure on Rahm to match while he played the treacherous "Green Mile" trio of finishing holes.</p><p>"I told myself, if I keep making good swings, I'm not going to continue to hit the ball left every time, statistically speaking," Scheffler explained, according to <a href="https://asaptext.com/orgs/pgachampionship/browse_file.php?browse_file_name=transcripts/156017.html">ASAP Sports</a>. "So I just tried to get up there on No. 10 and hit a good shot, and that's really all I was thinking about is trying to get the ball on the fairway. I knew I needed nine really good holes."</p><p>Rahm couldn't keep up, making a mess over the iconic stretch with a bogey on No. 16 and back-to-back double-bogeys on 17 and 18 to make things comfortable for Scheffler.</p><p>"Am I embarrassed a little bit about how I finished today? Yeah. But I just need to get over it, get over myself," Rahm told <a href="https://asaptext.com/orgs/pgachampionship/browse_file.php?browse_file_name=transcripts/156009.html">ASAP Sports</a> afterward. "I'll get over it. I'll move on. Again, there's a lot more positive than negative to think about this week. I'm really happy I put myself in position and hopefully learn from this and give it another go in the U.S. Open."</p><p>The win reasserted Scheffler's dominance over the sport, regardless of what Rory McIlroy has done already this season. He's now the first player since 1983 to win each of his first three majors by at least three strokes.</p><p>Perhaps most impressive is that Scheffler won convincingly despite not having his A-game for the majority of the week.</p><p>"The first two days I did not swing it my best, and I was able to post a score somehow," Scheffler admitted. "Outside of the last five holes yesterday, that's where I really kind of put myself ahead in the tournament. I mean, the back nine today was pretty special as well. But yesterday the way I finished off that round, I think it was really important for me to have a lead to play with today."</p>

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 18: Scottie Scheffler of the United States celebrates on the 18th green after winning the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 18, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Scheffler pulls away for emphatic PGA Championship win

Driver testing has been a hot topic at the PGA Championship following a report that the USGA deem...

<p>Driver testing has been a hot topic at the PGA Championship following a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3287010" href="https://thescore.com/news/3287010">report</a> that the USGA deemed Rory McIlroy's driver nonconforming in the buildup to Round 1 at Quail Hollow. </p><p>McIlroy, who declined to speak to the media after all four rounds, struggled off the tee using his backup, hitting less than 50% of the fairways over 72 holes.</p><p>While the buzz has surrounded McIlroy, Xander Schauffele suggested after Sunday's final round that the Irishman wasn't the only one to fail, pointing at tournament leader Scottie Scheffler as well.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I think Scott is winning the tournament, and I think he switched to his backup, too," Schauffele told <a href="https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/majors/pga/2025/05/18/xander-schauffele-hints-scottie-scheffler-failed-driver-testing-pga-championship/83712180007/">Adam Schupak of Golf Week</a>.</p><p>Schauffele, whose driver was ruled nonconforming ahead of the 2019 Open Championship, expressed frustration Sunday with the testing process, raising concerns that only one-third of the field gets tested.</p><p>"I think they should test everyone's driver," Schauffele said. "It's not right to just test 50 guys. It just doesn't make sense if you're in it for the spirit (of the game). The whole point of it is to protect the integrity of the field. If you don't test everyone across the board, I don't think you're protecting the whole field."</p><p>Scheffler confirmed after his five-stroke win that his driver was indeed flagged earlier in the week, forcing him to use his backup en route to victory. He joined Schauffele in calling for change to the testing process during his press conference alongside the Wanamaker Trophy.</p><p>"My driver did fail me this week. We had a feeling that it was going to be coming because I've used that driver for over a year. I was kind of fortunate for it to last that long, I felt like," Scheffler said, according to <a data-in-app-uri="" href="">ASAP Sports</a>. "It's a newer rule that we haven't quite gotten right yet. I think we have some stuff to figure out. I think, if we're going to do it, we might as well do it right, get more robust and get even more strict. You can test guys every week, if you want. I mean, there's no reason why we shouldn't."</p><p>The USGA and PGA of America don't disclose the results of driver testing, leaving a significant amount of secrecy around the process. While a failed test may reflect poorly on a player, it's rarely a case of anything intentional.</p><p>The most common cause for a failed test is a driver that's been used so often that the face has gotten too thin.</p>

CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 15: Xander Schauffele (USA) gets ready to play his tee shot at the 7th hole as Rory McIlroy (NIR) and Scottie Scheffler (USA) look on during the first round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 15, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Scottie confirms driver was flagged, joins Xander in calling for testing change

Xander Schauffele and Sam Burns were looking for extra motivation after being grouped for an earl...

<p>Xander Schauffele and Sam Burns were looking for extra motivation after being grouped for an early morning start in Sunday's final round of the PGA Championship.</p><p>With the pair well behind Scottie Scheffler and no chance of winning, Schauffele and Burns came up with a unique scenario to help spur on some strong play.</p><p>"Xander and I joked to start the day, if we both shot 62, we were getting matching tattoos," Burns told CBS Sports, according to <a href="https://www.golfdigest.com/story/pga-championship-2025-sam-burns-xander-schauffele-make-wild-final-round-deal-that-almost-comes-true?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=golfdigest">Alex Myers of Golf Digest.</a> "We were giving it our best early, and it looked pretty good."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Tattoos appeared to be on the table for most of Sunday as the duo got to work early in the round at Quail Hollow. Both players were 5-under walking onto the 15th tee, but they sputtered over the challenging "Green Mile" closing stretch.</p><p>Burns finished with a 4-under 67, while defending champion Schauffele carded a 3-under 68 - the lowest rounds of the tournament for both.</p>

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 18: Xander Schauffele of the United States and Sam Burns of the United States walk to the 10th tee during the final round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 18, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Schauffele, Burns come just shy of tattoo bet after impressive Sunday

For the majority of Saturday at Quail Hollow, it looked as though the PGA Championship would come...

<p>For the majority of Saturday at Quail Hollow, it looked as though the PGA Championship would come down to a star-studded three-man fight in the final round between Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, and Jon Rahm.</p><p>DeChambeau walked to the 16th tee as the leader at 8-under with Scheffler part of a group in second just one stroke back. At the same time, Rahm was polishing off a round of 67 to set the clubhouse lead at 6-under. Social media was giddy at the prospect of another epic major Sunday, and television executives at CBS were likely doing cartwheels at how the tourney was playing out.</p><p>And then Scottie reminded everyone why his statistical profile is the most similar we've seen to prime Tiger Woods. An incredible surge turned the PGA Championship from high drama into a dud.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>It started with one of the best par-4 tee shots Scheffler has ever hit, a power draw with a 3-wood that went 304 yards and ended just 3 feet from the cup for an electric eagle.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJxXEnaxyr1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJxXEnaxyr1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
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<script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></figure><p>"I executed the shot," Scheffler said afterward, according to <a href="https://asaptext.com/orgs/pgachampionship/browse_file.php?browse_file_name=transcripts/155991.html">ASAP Sports</a>. "Did I execute it thinking I hit it 2 feet or whatever it was? I mean, there's a little bit of luck involved in that when you're at 300 yards, but overall, I executed the shot exactly how I wanted to."</p><p>At the same time Scheffler was making light work of 14, DeChambeau was getting his lunch handed to him by the vaunted "Green Mile" - one of the toughest three-hole finishing stretches in professional golf.</p><p>DeChambeau - who had played near-flawless golf all day in racing out to the lead - dropped back into a tie at 7-under with a bogey on 16, but it was No. 17 where the gusty winds proved to be too much for the 31-year-old. </p><p>"Hit a great 9-iron exactly the way I wanted to. The wind just pumped it. Nothing I can do," DeChambeau <a href="https://asaptext.com/orgs/pgachampionship/browse_file.php?browse_file_name=transcripts/155986.html">said</a>. "Wind flipped from being neutral off the right like it was on 4, I believe, and it just was almost straight in, and we misjudged that, considering on 16 we thought it was playing almost a little downwind."</p><p>The ensuing double-bogey led DeChambeau to play the final three holes in 3-over and drop from the lead at 8-under back to 5-under. While that was certainly less than ideal, Scheffler still had the tough closing stretch ahead, so there was no need to panic.</p><p>The "Green Mile" might as well be named after all the money Scheffler likely won over that three-hole stretch. Birdies on Nos. 17 and 18 after brilliantly struck approaches emphatically slammed the door shut and saw him finish with five- and six-stroke leads on Rahm and DeChambeau, respectively.</p><p>"Pretty much after hole 11 I feel like I hit a lot of really good shots. 13 I got a weird wind gust and then hit a poor bunker shot, but outside of that, I felt like I executed really well on back nine and hit the shots that I was trying to hit and was able to get some results from those," Scheffler explained.</p><p>"Birdieing the last two was definitely two extra shots. I mean, I would assume those holes are playing over par, and so I definitely stole a couple shots there, and it was nice momentum towards the end of the round."</p><p>Perhaps the best way to put Scheffler's closing stretch into context is to lean on Data Golf's summation of holes 14-18.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">He gained 5.2 strokes on his last 5 holes, 3.7 of which were with ball-striking—basically hit 8 perfect shots. <a href="https://t.co/dDwtxCgX62">https://t.co/dDwtxCgX62</a></p>— data golf (@DataGolf) <a href="https://twitter.com/DataGolf/status/1923884953781125348?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>It's hard enough to battle with Scheffler from an even start, but trying to make up any sort of deficit is virtually impossible. He's converted his last seven 54-hole leads into victories and leads the PGA TOUR in bogey avoidance this season. Rahm and DeChambeau would need to shoot something in the mid-to-low 60s just to have an outside chance unless Scheffler collapses at Quail Hollow.</p><p>After Saturday's performance, that seems like just about the furthest thing from reality in the world of golf.</p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/31321160/related

Scottie's power hour ended all drama at PGA Championship

Add Scottie Scheffler to the growing list of players who have nearly made an improbable ace on th...

<p>Add <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1540" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/1540">Scottie Scheffler</a> to the growing list of players who have nearly made an improbable ace on the short par-4 14th at Quail Hollow this week.</p><p>Scheffler took advantage of the tees being moved up 40 yards Saturday, roping a 3-wood from 304 yards to just under 3 feet for the easy eagle.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJxXEnaxyr1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJxXEnaxyr1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
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<script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></figure><p>The brilliant tee shot came after a bogey and moved him to 8-under to sit tied with then-clubhouse leader Alex Noren.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Scheffler clearly gained some momentum from the eagle, as he would card three birdies over the final four holes to take a three-stoke lead to the final round.</p>

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Scottie Scheffler of the United States plays his shot from the eighth tee during the third round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 17, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/31320465/related

Watch: Scheffler eagles No. 14 after 304-yard tee shot to 3 feet

Scottie Scheffler is poised for a Sunday coronation at the PGA Championship.  The World No. 1 pul...

<p>Scottie Scheffler is poised for a Sunday coronation at the PGA Championship.</p><p>The World No. 1 pulled away from the field late in Round 3 at Quail Hollow, recording an eagle and four birdies on the closing nine to carry a three-stroke lead over Alex Noren to Sunday.</p><p>Scheffler's charge began with a near-ace on the 305-yard par-4 14th to leave a tap-in eagle that brought him level with Noren. However, he was far from finished. A birdie on the par-5 15th was expected, but playing the vaunted final three-hole stretch dubbed "The Green Mile" in 2-under is almost unheard of.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>That was enough to push him far clear of the field, with only three players within four strokes of his lead heading into Sunday. That's a key number because 37 of the last 40 PGA Championship winners have been within four shots entering the final round.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Place</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Round 3 score</th>
<th>Total to par</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Scottie Scheffler</td>
<td>-11</td>
<td>65</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Alex Noren</td>
<td>-8</td>
<td>66</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-3</td>
<td>J.T. Poston</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>68</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-3</td>
<td>Davis Riley</td>
<td>-7</td>
<td>67</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-5</td>
<td>Jhonattan Vegas</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>73</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-5</td>
<td>Si Woo Kim</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>71</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-5</td>
<td>Jon Rahm</td>
<td>-6</td>
<td>67</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-8</td>
<td>Bryson DeChambeau</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-8</td>
<td>Tony Finau</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-8</td>
<td>Keegan Bradley</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>68</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-8</td>
<td>Matt FItzpatrick</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>72</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-8</td>
<td>Matthieu Pavon</td>
<td>-5</td>
<td>72</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau are certainly the most heralded of the chasers, but the two are five and six shots off the pace, respectively. That makes it a tall task to come from behind against a man who's converted his last seven 54-hole leads into victories.</p><p>For most of the afternoon, it looked like an eye-popping three-man duel between Scheffler, Rahm, and DeChambeau would be Sunday's story. The LIV Golf stars both made plenty of noise early to fly up the leaderboard and put a charge into the crowd.</p><p>DeChambeau, in particular, looked primed to be Scheffler's biggest challenger, but a bogey on No. 16 and a disastrous double-bogey on No. 17 likely dashed his hopes of a third major title. The 2024 U.S. Open champion admitted the gusty winds were an issue down the stretch, especially on the 17th.</p><p>"Hit a great 9-iron exactly the way I wanted to. The wind just pumped it. Nothing I can do," DeChambeau said, according to <a href="https://asaptext.com/orgs/pgachampionship/browse_file.php?browse_file_name=transcripts/155986.html">ASAP Sports</a>. "Wind flipped from being neutral off the right like it was on 4, I believe, and it just was almost straight in, and we misjudged that, considering on 16 we thought it was playing almost a little downwind."</p><p>DeChambeau's late fade means the three closest challengers have zero major wins between them in Noren, Davis Riley, and J.T Poston. Lightning could strike and one of those veteran TOUR pros could make a run, but it's more likely the engraver for the Wanamaker Trophy will start working on Scheffler's name early in the afternoon.</p>

lang="x-default" CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 17: Scottie Scheffler on the 11th hole during the third round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/31320136/related

Scheffler surges late to take 3-shot lead at Quail Hollow

It's probably safe to kill the narrative that Jon Rahm's move to LIV Golf has hurt his major form...

<p>It's probably safe to kill the narrative that Jon Rahm's move to LIV Golf has hurt his major form.</p><p>After poor showings in the Masters and PGA Championship last year, Rahm seemingly faced questions every time he stood behind a microphone about whether his switch to LIV impacted his ability to compete on golf's biggest stages. However, the last three starts have proven he's still the world-class player he's always been, with Saturday's showing at Quail Hollow the strongest sign yet.</p><p>Rahm fired a 4-under 67 in the third round to charge up the leaderboard and post 6-under for the tournament, positioning himself firmly in the mix for a third career major championship.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Asked after the round if LIV affected his major preparation, Rahm quickly put that chatter to rest, once and for all.</p><p>"Me going to LIV and playing worse in majors had nothing to do with where I was playing golf. My swing was simply not at the level it had to be for me to compete," Rahm said, <a href="https://asaptext.com/orgs/pgachampionship/browse_file.php?browse_file_name=transcripts/155981.html">according to ASAP Sports</a>. "It's easier to post a score on non-major championship courses and venues, and I think when you get to the biggest stages like this one and these courses, those flaws are going to get exposed, and it did."</p><p>Rahm has recorded a top-10 result in every LIV event he's played, an impressive feat that needs context for its importance. With only 54 players in a LIV tournament - and numerous players consistently showing poor form - a top-10 finish doesn't hold the same significance as a 156-man PGA TOUR field.</p><p>Still, that shouldn't put any doubt into Rahm's status as a top player. His last three outings in major championships have shown he's just as dangerous as he's always been. Rahm expressed his excitement at Saturday's press conference about being back in a position to make a run at the trophy on a Sunday.</p><p>"Very happy with the state of my game. I think today was the round that I knew I was capable of. Those first two rounds felt very confident, and just did everything a little bit better," Rahm said. "So just very excited again to be in this position and looking forward to hopefully having a good Sunday tomorrow."</p>

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Jon Rahm of Spain follows his shot from the second tee during the third round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 17, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/31319948/related

Rahm: Move to LIV had 'nothing to do' with dip in major form

Scottie Scheffler is on the prowl Saturday at Quail Hollow, with the World No. 1 charging up the ...

<p>Scottie Scheffler is on the prowl Saturday at Quail Hollow, with the World No. 1 charging up the leaderboard in search of his third career major title.</p><p>The highlight of Scheffler's opening nine was undoubtedly the tee shot on the par-3 fourth hole, with the two-time Masters champ coming just 11 inches from making an ace.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJw_OZ7tYFT/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJw_OZ7tYFT/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
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<script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></figure><p>The tap-in birdie was part of an opening-nine 33 for Scheffler, allowing him to race past the four players he trailed to open the third round and grab a share of the lead heading to No. 10.</p>

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Scottie Scheffler of the United States walks off the first green during the third round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 17, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Watch: Scottie's near-ace helps charge up leaderboard

The PGA of America issued a statement Saturday in response to Friday's report that the USGA deeme...

<p>The PGA of America issued a statement Saturday in response to Friday's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3287010" href="https://thescore.com/news/3287010">report</a> that the USGA deemed Rory McIlroy's driver nonconforming ahead of the PGA Championship's opening round.</p><p>McIlroy was reportedly forced to use his backup driver for the first two rounds at Quail Hollow and clearly struggled to get comfortable, hitting just 10 of 28 fairways - a number ranking 152nd in the 156-man field.</p><p>The PGA of America didn't confirm McIlroy as one of the players tested but said the USGA put roughly one-third of the field through the process.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The PGA of America has spoken: <a href="https://t.co/ciJE3FaTKl">pic.twitter.com/ciJE3FaTKl</a></p>— Sean Zak (@Sean_Zak) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sean_Zak/status/1923797449245606311?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>It's not abnormal for a player's driver to be ruled nonconforming, and both the USGA and PGA of America stated there aren't "any concerns about player intent."</p><p>McIlroy hasn't commented on the report about the nonconforming club as he's opted against speaking to the media following the first two rounds at Quail Hollow.</p>

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 17: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reflection is seen in his club on the practice range during the third round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 17, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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PGA responds after report claims McIlroy's driver deemed nonconforming

Scottie Scheffler and Max Homa will attempt to chase down leader Jhonattan Vegas from the third-t...

<p>Scottie Scheffler and Max Homa will attempt to chase down leader Jhonattan Vegas from the third-to-last group Saturday at the PGA Championship.</p><p>Vegas - who leads by two strokes - will be off in the final group at 2:45 p.m. ET alongside Matthieu Pavon, with Matt Fitzpatrick and Si Woo Kim in the penultimate group 10 minutes prior. They will be preceded by Scheffler and Homa - the two most popular players in the final three groups - at 2:25 p.m.</p><p>Here's the full tee sheet for the third round featuring a very early morning for Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele in the second group of the day.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Round 3 groups (all times ET)</h3><p>Group 1, 8:15 a.m. - Max Greyserman, Sam Burns</p><p>Group 2, 8:25 a.m. - Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele</p><p>Group 3, 8:35 a.m. - Michael Kim, Chris Kirk</p><p>Group 4, 8:45 a.m. - David Puig, Bud Cauley</p><p>Group 5, 8:55 a.m. - Elvis Smylie, Kevin Yu</p><p>Group 6, 9:05 a.m. - Sergio Garcia, Brian Harman</p><p>Group 7, 9:15 a.m. - Justin Lower, Tom Kim</p><p>Group 8, 9:25 a.m. - Thorbjorn Olesen, Maverick McNealy</p><p>Group 9, 9:35 a.m. - Stephan Jaeger, Rasmus Hojgaard</p><p>Group 10, 9:45 a.m. - Nico Echavarria, Harris English</p><p>Group 11, 9:55 a.m. - Brian Campbell, Taylor Moore</p><p>Group 12, 10:15 a.m. - Cam Young, Daniel Berger</p><p>Group 13, 10:25 a.m. - Byeong Hun An, Collin Morikawa</p><p>Group 14, 10:35 a.m. - Harry Hall, Austin Eckroat</p><p>Group 15, 10:45 a.m. - Corey Conners, Nicolai Hojgaard</p><p>Group 16, 10:55 a.m. - Luke Donald, Beau Hossler</p><p>Group 17, 11:05 a.m. - Matt Wallace, Tom McKibbin</p><p>Group 18, 11:15 a.m. - Wyndham Clark, Rafael Campos</p><p>Group 19, 11:25 a.m. - Joaquin Niemann, Tyrrell Hatton</p><p>Group 20, 11:35 a.m. - Marco Penge, Lucas Glover</p><p>Group 21, 11:45 a.m. - Jon Rahm, Keegan Bradley</p><p>Group 22, 11:55 a.m. - Viktor Hovland, Tommy Fleetwood</p><p>Group 23, 12:15 p.m. - Adam Scott, Joe Highsmith</p><p>Group 24, 12:25 p.m. - Eric Cole, Cam Davis</p><p>Group 25, 12:35 p.m. - Tony Finau, Ben Griffin</p><p>Group 26, 12:45 p.m. - Alex Noren, Ryo Hisatsune</p><p>Group 27, 12:55 p.m. - Richard Bland, Davis Riley</p><p>Group 28, 1:05 p.m. - Taylor Pendrith, Bryson DeChambeau</p><p>Group 29, 1:15 p.m. - J.J. Spaun, Aaron Rai</p><p>Group 30, 1:25 p.m. - Garrick Higgo, Ryan Gerard</p><p>Group 31, 1:35 p.m. - Sam Stevens, Denny McCarthy</p><p>Group 32, 1:45 p.m. - J.T. Poston, Robert MacIntyre</p><p>Group 33, 2:05 p.m. - Ryan Fox, Alex Smalley</p><p>Group 34, 2:15 p.m. - Michael Thorbjornsen, Christiaan Bezuidenhout</p><p>Group 35, 2:25 p.m. - Max Homa, Scottie Scheffler</p><p>Group 36, 2:35 p.m. - Matt Fitzpatrick, Si Woo Kim</p><p>Group 37, 2:45 p.m. - Jhonattan Vegas, Matthieu Pavon</p>

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 07: Scottie Scheffler of the United States and Max Homa of the United States walk the 14th hole during the second round of the WM Phoenix Open 2025 at TPC Scottsdale on February 07, 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

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Scheffler, Homa off in 3rd-to-last group Saturday at PGA Championship

Sure, it doesn't have the pomp, circumstance, or drama of the Masters, but an intriguing major ch...

<p>Sure, it doesn't have the pomp, circumstance, or drama of the Masters, but an intriguing major championship has emerged after two rounds at Quail Hollow.</p><p>The leaderboard is a mix of surprise names with a number of accomplished players lurking as the weekend hits at the PGA Championship.</p><p>Here are five things that have caught out eye through two days in Charlotte.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Mud balls!</h3><p>The story from the opening day of the PGA Championship was unquestionably the mud balls players dealt with around Quail Hollow. The course got absolutely drenched with five inches of rain earlier in the week. However, while the PGA TOUR opts to let players use preferred lies at an almost-embarrassing rate, the major championships typically don't allow it. The PGA of America followed that plan and made the field play it as it lies in the opening round. That led to a number of mud balls - much to the anger of a number of top players such as Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele.</p><p>"I don't think they understand what it's like literally working your entire life to learn how to hit a golf ball and control it and hit shots and control distance, and all of a sudden due to a rules decision that is completely taken away from us by chance," Scheffler vented after the round, according to <a href="https://asaptext.com/orgs/pgachampionship/browse_file.php?browse_file_name=transcripts/155920.html">ASAP Sports</a>.</p><p>Schauffele didn't use as many words to get his point across about the decision.</p><p>"It is what it is, and a lot of guys are dealing with it, but it's just unfortunate to be hitting good shots and to pay them off that way. It's kind of stupid," the defending champion said, per <a href="https://asaptext.com/orgs/pgachampionship/browse_file.php?browse_file_name=transcripts/155921.html">ASAP Sports</a>.</p><p>While it's certainly frustrating to hit a perfect drive and face a mud ball on your approach, playing the ball down without preferred lies is something that separates a major from a regular PGA TOUR event. It's much needed at a course the players play every year anyway - especially because it's had almost no changes to host the major.</p><p>We will give the final word on mud balls to Max Homa, who sits near the top of the leaderboard in the quest for his first major win.</p><p>"I particularly like playing the ball down," Homa said, according to <a href="https://asaptext.com/orgs/pgachampionship/browse_file.php?browse_file_name=transcripts/155958.html">ASAP Sports</a>. "I think it just causes chaos for the fans. It's supposed to be entertaining, so seeing people who can look like robots for a while look completely silly isn't the worst, except when it's you."</p><h3>Vegas baby, Vegas</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/786031/cropped_GettyImages-2215457641.jpg?ts=1747445028" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/786031/w220xh124_GettyImages-2215457641.jpg?ts=1747445028 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/786031/w320xh180_GettyImages-2215457641.jpg?ts=1747445028 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/786031/w640xh360_GettyImages-2215457641.jpg?ts=1747445028 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/786031/w768xh432_GettyImages-2215457641.jpg?ts=1747445028 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/786031/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2215457641.jpg?ts=1747445028 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Alex Slitz / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>With four career wins under his belt, Jhonattan Vegas is certainly a name golf fans know from his time on the PGA TOUR. However, the Venezuelan has been largely invisible when it comes to major championships until this week at Quail Hollow. Vegas made the PGA TOUR for the first time in 2011, but in the 14 years since has only qualified for 16 majors. He missed the cut in 10 of those with a tie for 22nd at the 2016 PGA Championship his only top-25 finish.</p><p>According to <a href="https://x.com/JustinRayGolf/status/1923515602448035939">Justin Ray of the Twenty First Group</a>, Vegas is just the third person ever to hold multiple-shot leads after both Rounds 1 and 2 of the PGA Championship and the first since 1982. Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus never did it, but Vegas has accomplished that feat with two impressive rounds at Quail Hollow.</p><h3>Rory's awful driving</h3><p>Aside from Bryson DeChambeau, there's nobody in men's professional golf who's as prolific off the tee as Rory McIlroy. Excellence with the driver has been McIlroy's calling card since he burst onto the scene as a teenage prodigy, and it's remained that way throughout his illustrious career. That history is what makes his struggles off the tee through two rounds at Quail Hollow even more baffling. The Masters champ has hit just 10 of 28 fairways, ranking an astonishing 152nd in the 156-man field.</p><p>A partial explanation for McIlroy's driving issues emerged Friday afternoon with <a href="https://x.com/SiriusXMPGATOUR/status/1923513881130828128">Johnson Wagner and Taylor Zarzour of Sirius XM PGA TOUR Radio</a> reporting that his regular driver was deemed nonconforming this week during USGA testing. That forced McIlroy to remove that driver from his bag and put his backup in play, which may be behind his issues off the tee.</p><p>It's not uncommon for a PGA TOUR player to have a driver taken out of his bag during testing, as the speeds they operate at often cause damage to the face. However, seeing it happen the week of a major certainly isn't ideal for McIlroy, who barely made the cut and sits nine back through two rounds.</p><h3>Major failings from DJ, Brooks, JT</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/786030/cropped_GettyImages-2153081887.jpg?ts=1747444967" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/786030/w220xh124_GettyImages-2153081887.jpg?ts=1747444967 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/786030/w320xh180_GettyImages-2153081887.jpg?ts=1747444967 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/786030/w640xh360_GettyImages-2153081887.jpg?ts=1747444967 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/786030/w768xh432_GettyImages-2153081887.jpg?ts=1747444967 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/786030/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2153081887.jpg?ts=1747444967 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Maddie Meyer/PGA of America / PGA of America / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>There was a time where Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Justin Thomas were near the top of the leaderboard at seemingly every major championship. However, those days seem long ago as the star-studded trio once again failed to produce in a major championship this week at Quail Hollow. That trio now has 11 missed cuts and just two top-15 finishes in the past eight major championships - a combined total of 24 starts.</p><p>Johnson is 47-over during that span, Thomas just slightly better at 41-over despite the two being at different points in their careers. Johnson never seemed like someone who would be grinding into his 40s in professional golf, pointing to the money and the opportunity to play less golf as a driving factor in his move to LIV Golf.</p><p>However, Thomas is in the prime of his career and ranked fifth in the Official World Golf Ranking and Data Golf rankings. He recently snapped a winless drought with a victory at the RBC Heritage but has time and again failed in the majors in recent years.</p><p>Koepka was once the most feared major player in golf, amassing five titles in a very short period of time. While he initially kept that form after moving to LIV Golf with a runner-up and win at the 2023 Masters and PGA Championship, he hasn't contended since. It might be too early to write him off entirely, but things are not trending in the right direction for Koepka.</p><h3>Si Woo Kim's record-setting ace</h3><p>If you watched the last couple Presidents Cup events, you are more than familiar with Si Woo Kim's electric persona. The 29-year-old is undoubtedly the most entertaining player on the International team, with a history of rising to the occasion <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-CDr7ryVvI">and then celebrating wildly</a>.</p><p>He brought that flair to Quail Hollow on Friday, making the longest ace in major championship history on the 252-yard par-3 6th hole.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJuytSNxx90/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJuytSNxx90/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
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<script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></figure><p>It's Kim's sixth ace on the PGA TOUR since 2016 - the most by any player during that span - and marks his second straight major with a hole-in-one. It also helped him fly up the leaderboard into a tie for second.</p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/31311491/related

5 things that caught our eye through 2 rounds at Quail Hollow

The PGA Championship ended early for a number of top names at Quail Hollow, with Justin Thomas, B...

<p>The PGA Championship ended early for a number of top names at Quail Hollow, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1747" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/1747">Justin Thomas</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1461" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/1461">Brooks Koepka</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1977" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/1977">Hideki Matsuyama</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1317" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/1317">Dustin Johnson</a> headlining the list of players to miss the 36-hole cut.</p><p>This week marked the latest in a series of struggles at majors for both Thomas and Koepka, as both missed the cut for a second straight major championship. The two have combined for just one top-10 finish through the last eight majors.</p><p>Thomas came close, but three bogeys over his final five holes doomed the world's No. 5 player. Koepka barely threatened from the jump, posting rounds of 76 and 75 to miss the cut at the PGA Championship for the first time in his career.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Matsuyama falling one shy of the 1-over cutline means the longest active streak for made cuts at majors is over at 19. The Japanese star hadn't missed one since the 2019 Open Championship.</p><p>Johnson used to be a mainstay on major leaderboards, but the former World No. 1 has been on a dreadful run of form in golf's biggest events since joining LIV. He's now missed the cut in five of his last seven majors, with a 31st-place showing at last year's Open Championship his best result.</p><p>Other notables to miss the cut include <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/325" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/325">Shane Lowry</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/55" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/55">Jordan Spieth</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/5384" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/5384">Ludvig Aberg</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1451" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/1451">Patrick Cantlay</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1308" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/1308">Phil Mickelson</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/891" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/891">Cam Smith</a>.</p>

KIAWAH ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA - MAY 21: (L-R) Justin Thomas of the United States and Brooks Koepka of the United States prepare to putt on the sixth green during the second round of the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island Resort's Ocean Course on May 21, 2021 in Kiawah Island, South Carolina.

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Thomas, Koepka headline notables to miss cut

Jhonattan Vegas will take the PGA Championship lead to the weekend at Quail Hollow, but Scottie S...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1522" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/1522">Jhonattan Vegas</a> will take the PGA Championship lead to the weekend at Quail Hollow, but <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1540" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/1540">Scottie Scheffler</a> is among those hot on the Venezuelan's heels at the season's second major.</p><p>The first-round leader actually reached 10-under Friday but gave two strokes back with a double-bogey on the challenging 18th hole. That puts him two clear of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/3247" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/3247">Matthieu Pavon</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/808" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/808">Matt Fitzpatrick</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1377" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/1377">Si Woo Kim</a>, with Scheffler just three strokes off the pace.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/2071" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/2071">Max Homa</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/437" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/437">Bryson DeChambeau</a> were among those also making a push Friday, with Homa joining Scheffler at 5-under, while last year's U.S. Open champ is five back at 3-under.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Place</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Round 2 score</th>
<th>Total to par</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Jhonattan Vegas</td>
<td>70</td>
<td>-8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-2</td>
<td>Matthieu Pavon</td>
<td>65</td>
<td>-6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-2</td>
<td>Matt Fitzpatrick</td>
<td>68</td>
<td>-6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-2</td>
<td>Si Woo Kim</td>
<td>64</td>
<td>-6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-5</td>
<td>Max Homa</td>
<td>64</td>
<td>-5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-5</td>
<td>Scottie Scheffler</td>
<td>68</td>
<td>-5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-7</td>
<td>Ryan Gerard</td>
<td>72</td>
<td>-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-7</td>
<td>Robert MacIntyre</td>
<td>70</td>
<td>-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-7</td>
<td>J.T. Poston</td>
<td>71</td>
<td>-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-7</td>
<td>Alex Smalley</td>
<td>71</td>
<td>-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-7</td>
<td>Ryan Fox</td>
<td>68</td>
<td>-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-7</td>
<td>Christiaan Bezuidenhout</td>
<td>70</td>
<td>-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-7</td>
<td>Michael Thorbjornsen</td>
<td>68</td>
<td>-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-7</td>
<td>Sam Stevens</td>
<td>68</td>
<td>-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-7</td>
<td>Denny McCarthy</td>
<td>68</td>
<td>-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-7</td>
<td>Garrick Higgo</td>
<td>69</td>
<td>-4</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>You'd never know Vegas doesn't have a top-20 finish at a major by the way he played Friday after sleeping on the overnight lead. He played sound, mistake-free golf until the treacherous 18th caused that crucial double-bogey despite Vegas finding the fairway with his driver. His lead remains the same two strokes it was after Thursday, although the chasers bring significantly more pop than those after Round 1.</p><p>"This is kind of what we put all those hours for," Vegas said, according to <a href="https://asaptext.com/orgs/pgachampionship/browse_file.php?browse_file_name=transcripts/155962.html">ASAP Sports</a>. "You put all those hours to give yourself chances like this. Unfortunately I haven't been able to do it throughout my career, but like I said, you never know. You got to keep the pedal down, keep your head down, and keep working hard. You never know when things are going to turn your way."</p><p>While Pavon doesn't have much of a resume when it comes to majors, Fitzpatrick's U.S. Open win in 2022 showed he has the ability to close the deal. Add the entertaining Kim - who broke the record for longest ace in major history Friday with a 252-yard hole-in-one at No. 6 - and the pack in second is worthy of chasing down Vegas.</p><p>However, many people will probably view Scheffler as most dangerous, with the World No. 1 sitting in the wings despite once again not having his best stuff. Scheffler hit just six fairways Friday but somehow escaped with just one bogey on the card. That speaks to his unmatched mental ability to get around the golf course efficiently while avoiding trouble.</p><p>"If you're going to play a 72-hole golf tournament, there's going to be days and stretches of golf where you're not swinging it your best," Scheffler <a href="https://asaptext.com/orgs/pgachampionship/browse_file.php?browse_file_name=transcripts/155969.html">said afterward</a>. "Over the course of a tournament this long and on a major championship setup, there's going to be, like I said, some bumps in the road. It's all about how you respond to those. I did a good job of responding to those mistakes today and keeping myself in the tournament."</p><p>Scheffler's joined by a resurgent Homa, who charged with the lowest round of his major career - a 7-under 64 that featured a near-ace on the 341-yard par-4 14th. Homa's struggled mightily in regular PGA TOUR events this year, but after a T-12 at the Masters last month, it seems he's up for the challenge at the majors. He's certainly comfortable at Quail Hollow, as he notched his first career PGA TOUR win there in 2019.</p><p>While he didn't get to 5-under, DeChambeau is once again firmly in the mix at a major following a 3-under 68 on Friday. There's no question the reigning U.S. Open champ has established himself as one of the game's best major players, and he sits second favorite to win the event despite being five off the pace.</p><p>If there's going to be another DeChambeau duo with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/599" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/599">Rory McIlroy</a>, the latter will have to go super low on the weekend after a disappointing Friday finish dropped him back to 1-over for the championship. A bogey-bogey close for the Masters champ saw him fall back to the cutline, with an up-and-down needed at the 18th just to make the weekend. McIlroy does hold the course record at Quail Hollow with a 61, but he might need to match that twice this weekend to have any chance.</p>

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 16: Scottie Scheffler of the United States reacts after making a birdie on the 14th hole during the second round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 16, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/31309806/related

Vegas keeps lead, but Scheffler makes move at Quail Hollow

He's not the top-ranked player in the world, but you can easily make the argument that Si Woo Kim...

<p>He's not the top-ranked player in the world, but you can easily make the argument that Si Woo Kim is the most electrifying man playing professional golf right now.</p><p>The excitable Presidents Cup International standout brought some entertainment to Quail Hollow late Friday by carving a brilliant 3-wood from 252 yards to the 6th green before it rolled in for an improbable ace.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJuytSNxx90/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJuytSNxx90/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
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</div></blockquote> <script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></figure><p>The hole-in-one was the Korean's sixth on the PGA TOUR since 2016 - more than any other player. It's also his second ace in his past three major starts.</p>

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 16: Si Woo Kim of South Korea walks the seventh hole during the second round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 16, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Watch: Si Woo Kim makes insane ace from 252 yards

It looks like Max Homa can say goodbye to his early-season struggles.  Buoyed by a near-ace on th...

<p>It looks like Max Homa can say goodbye to his early-season struggles.</p><p>Buoyed by a near-ace on the 341-yard par-4 14th at Quail Hollow, Homa fired a sizzling 7-under 64 to post his lowest career round in a major championship. The 34-year-old is now tied for third with the afternoon wave taking the course at the PGA Championship.</p><p>Homa has missed five of his first 11 cuts this season and posted just one top-25 finish after entering the campaign going through both a swing and equipment change. However, he flashed with a 12th-place showing at the Masters and brought that form to Charlotte this week.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Homa credited his recent turnaround to being more proactive with how he wants to swing, pointing to a session with his coach three weeks ago as an example.</p><p>"We were just not finding anything on this range session. Everything he says makes sense, and it's very right, but it didn't feel like me," Homa told reporters, according to <a href="https://asaptext.com/orgs/pgachampionship/browse_file.php?browse_file_name=transcripts/155958.html">ASAP Sports</a>. "It was close to the positions, and everything (was) on what I wanted to do, but ... I just said, 'I want to try to do it this way, and just let me know if that looks OK.'"</p><p>Those adjustments were on display from the jump Friday. Starting on the 10th hole, Homa shot a blistering 6-under 30, highlighted by his incredible tee shot to 1 foot on the par-4 14th.</p><p>He finished the day first in strokes gained: off the tee for the morning wave of players and 12th in approach.</p><p>In addition to changes in his swing, Homa also attributed his uptick in play to a return to Quail Hollow, where he claimed his first PGA TOUR win in 2019.</p><p>"I think that helps a lot, especially as - as I started to feel really good, I knew I was going to come in here and swing it nicely," Homa said. "I just needed to find some comfort. So, this place does that for me."</p><p>Homa is looking for his first career major title. He should be firmly in the mix following the afternoon wave Friday.</p>

lang="x-default" CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 16: Max Homa high fives spectators on his way to the eighth hole tee box during the second round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club on Friday, May 16, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Homa charges up leaderboard with lowest major round of career

A hole-in-one on a par 3 is an incredibly notable achievement for professional and amateur golfer...

<p>A hole-in-one on a par 3 is an incredibly notable achievement for professional and amateur golfers alike, but an ace on a par 4 is the stuff of legends.</p><p>Max Homa came just short of accomplishing that feat Friday at the PGA Championship, hitting an incredible drive on the 341-yard par-4 14th that ended up inches from the cup.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJt4S8xRJXY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJt4S8xRJXY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
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<script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></figure><p>The tap-in eagle was part of an electric first nine holes for Homa in Round 2, with the American posting a 6-under 30 to make the turn just two strokes off the lead.</p>

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 16: Max Homa of the United States looks down the 10th hole during the second round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 16, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Watch: Homa comes inches from ace on 341-yard par 4

You'll be scrolling down for a while if you're searching the PGA Championship leaderboard for the...

<p>You'll be scrolling down for a while if you're searching the PGA Championship leaderboard for the top names in golf after Round 1.</p><p>With the likes of Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Justin Thomas struggling Thursday, it was veteran Jhonattan Vegas who rose from the field to hold the lead at 7-under with 18 holes complete at Quail Hollow.</p><p>That sits two clear of Ryan Gerard and Cam Davis with Luke Donald, Ryan Fox, Alex Smalley, Stephan Jaeger, and Aaron Rai three back. Zero top-15 players in the Official World Golf Rankings are inside the bunched top 20 on the leaderboard.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Place</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Round 1 score</th>
<th>Total to par</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Jhonattan Vegas</td>
<td>64</td>
<td>-7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-2</td>
<td>Cam Davis</td>
<td>66</td>
<td>-5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-2</td>
<td>Ryan Gerard</td>
<td>66</td>
<td>-5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-4</td>
<td>Luke Donald</td>
<td>67</td>
<td>-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-4</td>
<td>Ryan Fox</td>
<td>67</td>
<td>-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-4</td>
<td>Alex Smalley</td>
<td>67</td>
<td>-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-4</td>
<td>Stephan Jaeger</td>
<td>67</td>
<td>-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-4</td>
<td>Aaron Rai</td>
<td>67</td>
<td>-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-9</td>
<td>Tyrrell Hatton</td>
<td>68</td>
<td>-3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-9</td>
<td>Rasmus Hojgaard</td>
<td>68</td>
<td>-3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-9</td>
<td>Keegan Bradley</td>
<td>68</td>
<td>-3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-9</td>
<td>Matt Fitzpatrick</td>
<td>68</td>
<td>-3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-9</td>
<td>Robert MacIntyre</td>
<td>68</td>
<td>-3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-9</td>
<td>J.T. Poston</td>
<td>68</td>
<td>-3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-9</td>
<td>Alex Noren</td>
<td>68</td>
<td>-3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-9</td>
<td>Ryo Hisatsune</td>
<td>68</td>
<td>-3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-9</td>
<td>Nico Echavarria</td>
<td>68</td>
<td>-3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-9</td>
<td>Rafael Campos</td>
<td>68</td>
<td>-3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T-9</td>
<td>Michael Thorbjornsen</td>
<td>68</td>
<td>-3</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>To say it's a surprise Vegas is leading would be a massive understatement, as the four-time TOUR winner has never finished inside the top 20 at a major championship. The Venezuelan was off in one of the final groups of the day and finished with three consecutive birdies to reach 7-under.</p><p>The biggest story of the day was undoubtedly the struggles of the stars at Quail Hollow. Keegan Bradley and Tyrrell Hatton are the only top-20 players in the world inside that number on the leaderboard. Scottie Scheffler lurks just five off the pace, but after that, things thin out even further.</p><p>Scheffler and Xander Schauffele played in the super group with McIlroy, and the entire trio carded shocking double-bogeys on the 16th. That led to criticism from Scheffler and Schauffele after the round, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3286398" href="https://thescore.com/news/3286398">calling out the PGA of America</a> for not playing preferred lies and forcing the players to deal with mud balls.</p><p>McIlroy entered fresh off his Masters win with four career victories at Quail Hollow, but he battled driver issues and a balky putter in limping around the course. He hit just four fairways on the day and finished 136th in putting. It's his worst opening round at the course since 2011, when he missed the cut. He has plenty of work to do Friday, but if anybody can bounce back, it's the man who holds the course record.</p><p>The afternoon wave didn't bring much respite for the top players, with DeChambeau and Thomas among those who couldn't break par. </p><p>DeChambeau's brilliance off the tee suggested he was a perfect fit for the lengthy Quail Hollow, and he was exceptional off the tee throughout the day. However, he couldn't crack the top 70 in approach Thursday and failed time and again to get up-and-down when missing greens. Despite those struggles, he refused to pin any blame on the mud balls that Scheffler and Schauffele pointed out earlier in the day.</p><p>"You just have to manage your ball a little bit better," DeChambeau told <a href="https://x.com/PaoloUggetti/status/1923161850587287591">Paolo Uggetti of ESPN</a>. "It's not easy. I hit a couple shots where the ball is over-curving and you just have to go, 'OK, I got to play it out more one way' … everybody has to deal with it.”</p><p>That type of mentality was likely key to DeChambeau staying in the fight, and he remains firmly in the mix despite Vegas' late charge.</p><p>The same can't be said for Thomas, as the 2017 champion at Quail Hollow got off to a disastrous start with a double-bogey and two bogeys in his first six holes. He recovered with some outrageous short-game skill but sits well back at 2-over.</p>

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 15: Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela talks with his caddie Oscar Ruben Yorio on the third hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 15, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Vegas grabs lead as stars falter at Quail Hollow 

You'd never know that Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka have 10 major championships between them bas...

<p>You'd never know that Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka have 10 major championships between them based on Thursday's performance at Quail Hollow.</p><p>The superstar duo both had major issues in the opening round, with McIlroy posting a 3-over and Koepka recording a 4-over. They sit eight and nine shots, respectively, off clubhouse leader Ryan Gerard.</p><p>McIlroy's driver is apparently still suffering from a Masters hangover, as the new career grand slam winner hit just 4-of-14 fairways in the opening round. That's only two more fairways than his worst round ever at a major championship, according to Justin Ray of the Twenty First Group.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>It was a stunning display of inaccuracy from McIlroy, who's widely considered to be the best driver in the world. He also came into Quail Hollow with four wins at the Charlotte-area course.</p><p>Koepka's biggest issue was his approach play. The three-time PGA Championship winner hit only seven fairways to rank 146th in the field early in the afternoon. There are only 20 PGA Club professionals in the 156-man field at Quail Hollow.</p><p>Koepka's performance is the latest in a downward trend following his PGA Championship win at Oak Hill in 2022. He has just one top-25 finish in the seven majors since and looks destined to miss his second straight cut after heading home early from the Masters last month.</p>

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 15: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Caddie Harry Diamond look on from the fourth green during the first round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 15, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Quail Hollow gets best of major stalwarts McIlroy, Koepka

Major championship golf is regarded as the sternest test in the sport, with course setups meant t...

<p>Major championship golf is regarded as the sternest test in the sport, with course setups meant to challenge players at a level above a regular PGA TOUR event.</p><p>One of the ways that's done is by avoiding preferred lies after a rainstorm - a situation that allows players in the fairway to lift, clean, and place their ball.</p><p>While the practice is common on the PGA TOUR, it isn't in the majors. In fact, it's only happened once in major championship history, according to <a href="https://x.com/dylan_dethier/status/1923096365074121033">Dylan Dethier of Golf.com</a>. The PGA of America followed those guidelines for Thursday's opening round of the PGA Championship, telling the players Wednesday night there would be no preferred lies even though five inches of rain fell in Charlotte this week.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>As a result, multiple balls picked up mud when hitting the fairway off the tee, forcing players to predict how they'd react in the air on their approaches. Two clear examples came from the super group involving Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Rory McIlroy.</p><p>Scheffler and Schauffele found the fairway in perfect spots on the long par-4 16th, but ended up hooking their approaches long and left into the water en route to matching double-bogeys. Both players touched on those shots after the round.</p><p>"It's one of those deals where it's frustrating to hit the ball in the middle of the fairway and get mud on it and have no idea where it's going to go," Scheffler said, according to <a href="https://asaptext.com/orgs/pgachampionship/browse_file.php?browse_file_name=transcripts/155920.html">ASAP Sports</a>. "I understand it's part of the game, but there's nothing more frustrating for a player.</p><p>"You spend your whole life trying to learn how to control a golf ball, and due to a rules decision, all of a sudden, you have absolutely no control over where that golf ball goes. But I don't make the rules. I just have to deal with the consequences of those rules."</p><p>Scheffler still posted a 2-under 69 on the day, while the defending champion Schauffele couldn't get much going and finished at 1-over. He, too, fielded questions about the conditions.</p><p>"Had a ridiculous mud ball there on 16 with Scottie. We were in the middle of the fairway, and I don't know, we had to aim right of the grandstands, probably. I'm not sure," Schauffele told reporters, according to <a href="https://asaptext.com/orgs/pgachampionship/browse_file.php?browse_file_name=transcripts/155921.html">ASAP Sports</a>. "I aimed right of the bunker, and it whipped in the water, and Scottie whipped it in the water as well.</p><p>"It is what it is, and a lot of guys are dealing with it, but it's just unfortunate to be hitting good shots and to pay them off that way. It's kind of stupid."</p><p>Schauffele was quick to point out his group wasn't the only one affected.</p><p>"All of us. I'm not the only guy. I'm just in front of the camera. I wouldn't want to go in the locker room because I'm sure a lot of guys aren't super happy with sort of the conditions there," Schauffele said. "I feel like the grass is so good, there is no real advantage to cleaning your ball in the fairway. The course is completely tipped out. It sucks that you're kind of 50/50 once you hit the fairway."</p><p>While there's virtually no rain in the forecast for the rest of the week, Schauffele expressed concern that the issue would only get worse as things dry out.</p><p>"The mud balls are going to get worse. That wasn't your question, but they're going to get worse as the (place) dries up," he said. "They're going to get in that perfect cake zone to where it's kind of muddy underneath and then picking up mud on the way through."</p>

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL - MARCH 13: PGA golfers Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler walk the 5th hole during the The Players Championship at the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass on March 13, 2025, at Ponte Verde Beach, Florida.

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Scottie, Xander point to mud balls as cause for double-bogeys

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