In Charlotte, North Carolina, all eyes have turned toward Scottie Scheffler as he emerges as the primary contender for this year’s PGA Championship following an impressive performance in the third round. Scheffler, commanding the course with a 6-under 65 on Saturday, has positioned himself three strokes ahead of Sweden’s Alex Noren.
Starting the day trailing by three shots behind Jhonattan Vegas, the second-round leader, Scheffler finished strong by playing the last five holes at 5 under par. Given his current momentum and status as the world’s top-ranked player, Scheffler seems poised to clinch his third major championship unless an extraordinary turn of events occurs.
Other notable players made significant moves on the leaderboard during Saturday’s play. Jon Rahm put in a noteworthy performance with a 67, placing him five shots behind the leader despite an errant shot hitting a spectator. Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau, who briefly led the tournament, faltered in the latter part of the round and now finds himself six strokes back.
Unfortunately for Rory McIlroy, the Masters champ, his efforts on Saturday did not yield the results he hoped for, as he shot a 72 and now sits 13 shots off the lead, ending his potential Grand Slam pursuit for the calendar year.
Currently, the leaderboard places Scottie Scheffler firmly in control. Victory on Sunday would secure him half of the coveted career Grand Slam, having already conquered the Masters twice. Alex Noren remains the closest contender, three strokes back, but Scheffler’s exceptional finish on Saturday overshadowed Noren’s commendable round of 66.
Going into the final day, J.T. Poston and Davis Riley stand four shots behind, followed closely by Jon Rahm and Si Woo Kim, each five strokes away from the lead. A group of competitors, six shots back, includes Bryson DeChambeau, Matthieu Pavon, Tony Finau, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Keegan Bradley.
Viewers can catch the final day of the PGA Championship with live coverage commencing at 8 a.m. on ESPN+, continuing on ESPN until 1 p.m., and then transitioning to CBS and Paramount+ until 7 p.m.
Betting odds strongly favor Scheffler for the win, with a notable -400 standing according to BetMGM Sportsbook. This indicates a substantial advantage over the rest of the field, with Noren, Rahm, and DeChambeau trailing in the betting stakes.
The champion will earn the honor of hoisting the Wanamaker Trophy, the heaviest amongst the major championship trophies. Defending champion Xander Schauffele has seen his hopes dashed, barely making the cut and now trailing by 13 shots.
Fans should keep an eye on Scheffler, who seems formidable with his current lead. The likes of Rahm and DeChambeau, while strong, face a daunting challenge in overcoming the deficit perceived too large, given Scheffler’s steadiness.
From the LIV Golf league, 16 players made it into the field, equaling last year’s participation. Rahm and DeChambeau are inside the top 10, although others like Joaquin Niemann have faded from sight.
Saturday’s play was briefly disrupted by thunderstorms, prompting adjustments in starting times. However, Sunday’s forecast offers favorable, dry conditions with temperatures expected in the low 80s.
Rory McIlroy faced an unusual predicament earlier in the week when his driver was deemed unfit by the USGA, forcing him to switch to a backup. His struggles since have been notable, and he remains muted in media interactions.
Reflecting on history, last year’s champion Xander Schauffele triumphed at the PGA Championship by securing a tense victory with a birdie on the final hole. This year, however, Schauffele is far from contention.