Yes, Scheff!

It’s a major week once again. After the PGA Championship just wrapped up, and for a while, it looked like we were in for a nail-biter — until Scottie Scheffler pulled away.

In the end, the World No. 1 cruised to victory by five strokes, outlasting the field with steady, mistake-free golf. No jaw-dropping heroics, just fairways, greens, and consistent play. That’s all it took to seal the win.

Challenge from Rahm

It was anything but a walk in the park, no matter what the final scoreboard shows. As the final group made the turn, Scheffler was tied with Jon Rahm, who was a couple of holes ahead. It looked like a showdown was brewing between the two multiple major champions. But midway through the back nine, Rahm missed two key birdie opportunities that could’ve kept the pressure on Scottie.

Quail Hollow doesn’t give much room to attack, but holes 14 and 15, a short, reachable par 4, and a reachable par 5 are must-birdie holes.

In the final round, Rahm was just a shot behind heading into the short 14th. With the front of the green just 290 yards away, Rahm — one of the tour’s biggest hitters — only needed a 5-wood off the tee. He didn’t hit a bad shot either, executing a high draw that the hole required.

Unfortunately, he was about a few feet right of the ideal line, with his ball kicking straight toward the bunker instead of the usual kick left toward the pin.

A few feet, a mediocre bunker shot, and a badly read putt later, Rahm missed a golden opportunity to tie Scheffler for the lead.

On the next hole, Rahm missed another opportunity — this time failing to get up and down for birdie on the reachable par-5 15th. Those two missed chances ultimately cost him the lead, or at least a share of it, heading into the Green Mile.

Bryson’s lead

Bryson DeChambeau held the solo lead during the third round — until disaster struck on the par-3 16th. A sudden gust meant that Bryson’s 9-iron from 185 yards came up short and into the hazard. That miscue/unlucky break resulted in a double bogey.

In contrast, Scottie Scheffler caught fire over the final stretch of his third round, going 5-under on the last five holes to build a three-shot lead after 54 holes. He closed with an eagle, followed by birdie-par-birdie-birdie — snatching the lead from DeChambeau and the rest of the pack.

So, Scheffler definitely faced plenty of challengers.

Sustaining the challenge was what his opponents failed to do.

Other contenders

A handful of players were still within striking distance as they headed into the final nine holes.

Unfortunately, they all withered away due to errant tee shots, missed short putts, misjudged approaches, and tentative chips. Aside from Rahm, chasers with a chance included Alex Noren, DeChambeau, Matt Fitzpatrick, Adam Scott, Davis Riley, and JT Poston, who all could’ve made a charge. But what little opening Scheffler gave, no one took full advantage of.

The Green Mile

Quail Hollow’s last three holes, collectively dubbed “The Green Mile” is a stern test of nerves. Aside from length, the 16th demands a long approach with water lurking on the left. The 17th is another long hole — over 200 yards — with a green protected by water short and left.

The final hole isn’t particularly long, but it demands precision off the tee. A creek runs the entire length of the left side, tightening the landing area and putting a premium on accuracy.

Had Rahm converted his birdie chances on 14 and 15, and pulled even — or at least within a shot — when Scottie began his final three holes, things might’ve played out very differently.

Pressure has a way of tightening swings. But with no one breathing down his neck, Scottie simply cruised to the finish.

Not to take anything away from Scheffler, of course. But being tied or just one ahead is a world away from having a four or five-shot lead. There is room for error, and with players of their caliber, enough cushion results in normal, free swings.

The PGA Championship’s finish wasn’t quite as thrilling as I’d hoped, but in the end, a deserving champion emerged. Consistency and mental toughness won the day.

We’re halfway through the 2025 majors, with two more just around the corner. Can Scheffler keep up his dominance, or will Rory remind us why he’s one of golf’s elite?

Will there be surprise winners and contenders? We’ll all find out at the US Open in a few weeks.