One year and one day after a mugshot defined his 2024 PGA Championship, Scottie Scheffler stood at center stage again—but this time, arms raised high, hat spiked into the green, hoisting the Wanamaker Trophy. On a humid Sunday afternoon at Quail Hollow Club, the world’s No. 1 golfer delivered a commanding final-round performance to claim the 107th PGA Championship, earning his third career major with a five-stroke victory over Harris English, Bryson DeChambeau, and Davis Riley.
Scheffler posted an even-par 71 to finish the week at 10-under, weathering early struggles and a mid-round charge from Jon Rahm before dominating the back nine in vintage fashion.
“This back nine will be one that I remember for a long time,” Scheffler said. “It was a grind out there… to step up when I needed to the most, I’ll remember that for a while.”
The image of Scheffler being led away in handcuffs at last year’s PGA at Valhalla had lingered in the minds of golf fans. That incident, involving a misunderstanding with law enforcement outside the gates, overshadowed his tournament. But Sunday marked the conclusion of a redemption story written across 366 days—one that now includes another historic trophy on his resume.
He celebrated with his wife, Meredith, and infant son, Bennett, moments after sinking the final putt. His father, Scott, hugged him and offered words that summed up the moment:
“Words cannot describe what we just witnessed. You are so tough. We are so proud of you.”
At the turn, Scheffler found himself tied with Jon Rahm after squandering what had been a three-shot lead. Struggling off the tee—hitting only 2 of his first 7 fairways—and battling deep rough, Scheffler’s round was in doubt. He later revealed that his driver had failed USGA conformity tests earlier in the week.
But that’s when caddie Ted Scott stepped in with simple guidance: “The swings look good, but everything’s going left. Maybe aim right.”
It worked. Scheffler drilled a perfect drive on 10, then made a clutch 9-foot birdie to regain the lead. He followed with another on 14 and yet another on 15 to extend the gap. Meanwhile, Rahm faltered spectacularly on Quail Hollow’s dreaded “Green Mile”—the closing stretch of holes 16 through 18.
Rahm, who had tied for the lead after 12 holes, collapsed down the stretch. A bogey on 16, a double on 17 after finding water, and another double on 18 after hitting into a creek left him at 4-under, tied for eighth.
Scheffler’s five-stroke victory ties for the fourth-largest margin in PGA Championship history. He now joins Seve Ballesteros as the only golfer in the last 100 years to win each of his first three majors by at least three strokes. He previously won the 2022 Masters by three over Rory McIlroy and the 2024 Masters by four over Ludvig Åberg.
This victory also marks his 15th career PGA Tour win, putting him in legendary company. Since World War II, only Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have claimed 15 wins and three majors before turning 29.
Scheffler, now 28, continues to carve out a legacy defined by consistency, calm under pressure, and the ability to rise to the moment when the spotlight is brightest.
“He started hitting it great and started feeling good and comfortable,” said Scott, his caddie. “And that’s back to Scottie Scheffler golf.”
As the sun set over Charlotte, the image that will define the 2025 PGA Championship isn’t of handcuffs or police cars—it’s of a smiling Scottie Scheffler, cradling the Wanamaker Trophy, surrounded by family and echoing chants from a crowd that knows greatness when they see it.
