CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Scottie Scheffler watched intently as his tee shot arced through the sky, a perfect parabola. It landed precisely where intended, just shy of the 14th green, bouncing forward and rolling onto the surface as smoothly as a putt. From 304 yards out, Scheffler had left himself a mere 2 feet, 9 inches for an eagle. The subsequent putt was a formality, tying him for the lead at 8-under. More than just a tie, it was a bold statement echoing across Quail Hollow Country Club, reaffirming a truth evident in professional golf for the past two years: Scottie Scheffler cannot be stopped.
The PGA Championship`s initial two days presented an unpredictable leaderboard, featuring several unexpected contenders. But when Scheffler eagled the 14th on Saturday, then added birdies on 15, 17, and 18 to reach 11-under and secure a dominant three-shot lead heading into the final 54 holes, it felt like the natural order of things had been restored. Even this major, which had felt uniquely challenging and complex for over 36 holes, eventually settled around its dominant force.
“I try to concentrate intensely on executing each shot, recognizing there are factors outside my control,” Scheffler commented on his approach. “I can`t influence what others do, anticipate bad wind gusts, or dictate exactly how the ball will react on the green. My sole focus is on hitting the shot I intend to hit. That`s my mindset out there. Some days, it yields better results than others.”
As Scheffler ascended to the lead, his perceived inevitability grew stronger while other competitors faltered. Quail Hollow`s notoriously difficult “Green Mile” stretch proved costly for several contenders. Jon Rahm bogeyed the 17th, and Bryson DeChambeau suffered a double bogey on the same demanding hole.
DeChambeau, after finishing his round, stated, “I`m three shots behind with one round remaining in a major championship. Considering that, I can`t complain excessively.”
Two-time major champion Rahm, after reaching 6-under on Saturday, said, “I anticipate starting tomorrow at least one shot back. However, that`s still an excellent position to be in.”
The challenge for them was that the world`s top-ranked player still had holes left to play, and Scheffler navigated the Green Mile expertly, finishing the stretch at 2-under. Consequently, on Sunday, Rahm will begin five shots behind Scheffler, while DeChambeau faces a six-shot deficit.
Three other players are currently closer to Scheffler entering Sunday than Rahm. Alex Noren, a 42-year-old recovering from a hamstring tendon tear, is three shots back and paired with Scheffler. Noren tied for 51st the previous week. Davis Riley and J.T. Poston are both 7-under. Riley has two top-10 finishes this season but has missed more cuts in majors than he has made. Poston`s best finish in a major championship has been 30th.
Simply put, Scheffler isn`t being immediately pursued by the absolute elite players in the world. This is why, despite their larger deficits, Rahm and DeChambeau might still pose the most significant threat. Both Rahm and DeChambeau are aiming for their third major victory.
For Rahm, this marks his first true contention in a major since joining LIV, offering a genuine chance to increase his major count. Winning the PGA Championship would give him three major titles and the opportunity to pursue a career Grand Slam at The Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, mirroring Rory McIlroy`s recent achievement.
A smiling Rahm expressed his eagerness: “It`s difficult to articulate how hungry I am for a major; perhaps as hungry as anyone could be in this scenario. I`m very pleased to be in this position once more.”
Rahm has demonstrated consistent play this week. He leads the field in strokes gained off the tee and ranks 20th in approach play, although he has lost nearly a full stroke around the green. His performance has been arguably his most complete in a major since his 2023 Masters win, but it may still lack the necessary firepower to overtake Scheffler.
DeChambeau`s third round prevented what could have been another Sunday where he entered within striking distance of the lead. It`s not surprising that this course suits DeChambeau, given his strong driving. However, similar to Augusta, his approach game (ranking 54th this week) could once again hinder his bid for a third major title.
DeChambeau remarked, “My focus is solely on what I can control. If I go out and shoot 6 or 7-under, that`s my objective.” He then added a crucial qualification: “Not that that`s guaranteed to be enough, but you never know.”
Leading up to the tournament at Quail Hollow, much of the focus was understandably on Rory McIlroy, who had just achieved a monumental, sport-defining victory at the Masters, completing his long-awaited Grand Slam. Despite this, Scheffler, fresh off winning his most recent event by an impressive eight shots, remained a co-favorite and was still considered the true benchmark in the sport.
Scheffler posted uneventful rounds of 69 and 68 during the initial two days. These didn`t feel particularly remarkable because his ability to score under par even without his absolute best game has become routine. The expectations he has set for himself are so extraordinarily high that the only way he could genuinely surprise anyone is by finishing outside the top 10. Even then, that might not be enough to cause concern. He had six top-10 finishes this season, but because he hadn`t won until the Byron Nelson two weeks prior, there was some discussion about the state of his form. While Scheffler has occasionally displayed frustration on the course, he has consistently emphasized the importance of patience.
Scheffler explained, “Golf isn`t really a sport where you can simply force things. Unlike sports like football or basketball, where you can rely on adrenaline or physical dominance, golf requires more finesse. I feel it`s more about letting the scores materialize naturally, demanding significantly greater patience than other sports, especially over the duration of a 72-hole tournament.”
This week, Scheffler has performed like the undisputed best player globally, ranking within the top 10 for strokes gained off the tee, on approach shots, and around the green. Crucially, his putting has been more than adequate (ranking 36th), and his renowned mental resilience – his ability to recover from poor shots or holes – appears to be in peak condition. This combination is precisely the formula that has earned him two Masters titles.
Scheffler stated, “My objective is to maximize my potential and challenge the golf course. Ultimately, that`s where my focus lies. If I start thinking about what others are doing out there, it won`t benefit my game.”
On Sunday, Scheffler will have the advantage of being able to concentrate solely on his own game. While his competitors might claim they are only focused on what they can control, deep down, they understand the reality: for them to have any realistic hope of lifting the Wanamaker Trophy, golf`s most unstoppable force will need to stumble.
Adrian Whitmore