CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Jon Rahm walked the downhill 16th fairway at Quail Hollow Country Club, head down, his face grim under his bright pink hat. The noise from the nearby 14th green, where Scottie Scheffler had just birdied to extend his lead to two shots, signaled Rahm`s fading major championship hopes.
`Even if you don`t want to look at the leaderboards,` Rahm commented, `the crowd certainly informs you.`
For a short period, Rahm seemed capable of an extraordinary feat: catching the world`s top player, who started the final round five shots ahead. After Scottie Scheffler`s uncharacteristic 2-over front nine allowed Rahm to pull even on the 11th, it appeared Rahm had captured the momentum and was poised to claim the Wanamaker Trophy.
But defeating Scheffler demands more than just a fleeting period of good play. The hallmark of the now three-time major champion is his unwavering composure and remarkable ability to remain calm despite errors. The pressure he exerts on competitors is inherent; his game is so robust and reliable that overcoming the world`s best feels like a monumental challenge.
Scheffler`s eventual victory felt palpable throughout Sunday in the humid Charlotte air. This inevitability led Rahm to desperate measures; by the time he bogeyed the 16th and Scheffler had played the 14th and 15th holes at 2-under, the Spaniard felt compelled to take a risk. His tee shot on the par-3 17th found the water, effectively ending his challenge.
`This back nine is something I`ll remember for a long time,` Scheffler commented. `To step up and perform when it mattered most, that will stick with me.`
Luke Donald recalled a similar situation 19 years prior at the 2006 PGA Championship. Donald, then ranked 10th, shared the 54-hole lead after a strong Saturday round. However, he was tied with Tiger Woods, who had shot a record-breaking 65 and held an undefeated record in majors when leading after three rounds (11-0).
`Tiger possessed a kind of aura where you felt compelled to do more, to really elevate your game to have a chance,` Donald shared after his final round Sunday. `I believe he was aware of that.`
In 2006, Woods played alongside Donald in the final group and shot a 68 to win his 12th major by five strokes. Coincidentally, in Charlotte on Sunday, Scheffler—now also undefeated (3-0) when holding a 54-hole lead at a major—won by the identical margin of five shots.
`He simply maintains a steady emotional state, not getting too excited or discouraged; his game does the talking,` Donald observed. `And he absolutely hates to lose.`
Since Scheffler`s 2024 Masters victory solidified his position at the pinnacle of the sport, other notable achievements have occurred. Xander Schauffele has won two majors, Bryson DeChambeau has contended strongly in two, and Rory McIlroy finally completed his career Grand Slam by winning the Masters.
Scheffler remained prominent during this time, securing six tour wins and three more top-10 finishes in majors. Yet, a minor storyline began to emerge: when would Scheffler capture a major title other than the Masters?
It was fitting that Rahm served as Scheffler`s primary challenger on Sunday. They have previously exchanged green jackets at the Masters and entered the tournament with two major titles each. With this victory, Scheffler now surpasses not only Rahm but also DeChambeau, Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, and Justin Thomas in major count. He stands as the defining player of his generation, with others striving to keep pace.
`There were moments where I felt I pushed too hard,` stated DeChambeau, who finished tied for second. `I need to improve my precision and address areas to become more consistent, to reach the level Scottie is playing at right now.`
Over the past two years, Scheffler has garnered more acclaim from his peers than perhaps anyone else. They consistently attempt to articulate his exceptional skill while simultaneously expressing their own admiration.
`I`ve played with him frequently, and it feels like every shot he hits has a certain power behind it and consistently ends up where it needs to be,` Sam Burns commented.
With Scheffler, things seldom seem to unravel. Even after carding three bogeys on the front nine and battling a left miss with his swing, he remained composed. He had been working with his coach, Randy Smith, all week on optimizing his hip movement towards the target. Briefly, it seemed like old swing habits were resurfacing. However, on the 10th tee, taking his caddie Ted Scott`s advice to aim further right and focusing on a full body turn, Scheffler hit a perfect drive. Something clicked. After adding three more birdies by the 15th hole, his victory felt assured once more.
`This felt like one of the hardest I`ve had to battle for a tournament in my career,` Scheffler commented, adding that he also had to use a new driver this week after his usual one was found to be nonconforming. `Closing out a major championship is always tough. I didn`t have my sharpest game, especially early on when I was fighting my swing, but I managed to stay in contention.`
Scheffler has frequently drawn comparisons to Woods over the last two years, particularly for his elite ball-striking. However, his capacity to win even without his peak performance, and then win by significant margins when he finds his best game, is also strongly reminiscent of Woods in his prime.
`He simply maintains a steady emotional state, not getting too excited or discouraged; his game does the talking,` Donald observed. `And he absolutely hates to lose.`
As Scheffler has accumulated wins and become a consistent presence in golf`s spotlight, he has become more comfortable expressing just how much winning means to him. After admitting his nervousness at the 2024 Masters and wishing he didn`t care *quite* so much, on Sunday he wiped away tears walking up the 18th fairway at Quail Hollow before tossing his hat in celebration and yelling after his winning putt. At 27, he is now a three-time major champion, halfway to completing the career Grand Slam.
`Sometimes I wish I didn`t care quite as much as I do,` Scheffler repeated after his final round. `It would simplify things significantly if I could just show up and feel indifferent about the outcome. Occasionally, I do feel that way. But ultimately, this means a great deal to me.`
`He`s driven to win every time he competes, whether it`s golf, pickleball, or anything else,` commented Smith, his coach. `I often compare him to athletes in other sports. In basketball, you know the player who wants the ball in the final second – that`s Scottie`s mentality.`
If Rory McIlroy`s emotional Masters victory earlier this year represented the conclusion of one significant storyline, Scottie Scheffler`s win at Quail Hollow served as a powerful affirmation of the narrative surrounding his ongoing dominance. While McIlroy may be enjoying an exceptional season, the title of the world`s best player undoubtedly still belongs to Scottie Scheffler.
Adrian Whitmore