US PGA Championship Day Three Recap
Major championships often shift as the daylight fades on Saturdays. It’s a pattern I’ve noticed time and again.
Quail Hollow’s challenging final holes, famously known as the Green Mile, can severely impact players’ chances. Scotty Schaeffler approached this part of the course differently, aiming to stay below par. Armed with an impressive eagle on the 14th and a birdie on the subsequent hole, he was at 5 under for the day. If you can, keep an eye on him.
Schaeffler’s strong round of 65 puts him at 11 under overall, giving him a three-stroke lead over Alex Norén in Charlotte. This early advantage is significant for someone of Schaeffler’s caliber. It feels like he’s in control now. A year ago, his performance at the PGA was a mess after he faced some challenges. Now, it seems much more routine for him.
There’s some history backing Schaeffler. In his previous two major tournaments where he held a lead after 54 holes, he finished strong. Meanwhile, Norén has yet to win a major, and while other contenders like JT Poston, Kim Siwoo, or Jhonattan Vegas are in the mix, John Rahm, sitting at six under, still has plenty of drive and ambition. His recent switch to Liv Golf hasn’t hindered his chances, but overcoming Schaeffler will be tough.
“It’s hard to explain just how hungry I feel,” Rahm admitted. “Everyone tends to be on edge in these situations.”
He also mentioned that since joining Liv, his major performance hasn’t aligned with his expectations, stating it’s more about his own swing not being up to par. “It’s easier to put in good scores in non-major venues,” he noted.
Rahm reflected on his ups and downs since then. “There were times I played better, like at last year’s Open, but my start in the Masters wasn’t great, though I improved through the weeks.”
“This year, my game faltered after the Masters until the Ryder Cup. I think the challenges started earlier than many realize, but I’m getting more comfortable now.”
As Rahm pointed out, Schaeffler was fully accelerating ahead. He registered his 25th major round in the 60s since 2022. These past rounds of 69, 68, and 65 have certainly put some pressure on his competitors. Still, on the 14th, his performance wasn’t as straightforward. He navigated through three trees from 304 yards, landing just 3 feet from the cup—an impressive shot that felt pivotal.
“I worked hard to keep my game together today,” Schaeffler commented. “The wind was tough, and the greens were firm, but I managed to remain patient and improved my performance from the earlier rounds.”
“I wanted to finish strong. I found momentum. I need to continue playing well and focus on the moment. There are many strong competitors right behind me.”
Rahm’s fellow Liv player Bryson DeChambeau faced struggles of his own, encountering a rough finish. After several misplays at the 16th and a water hazard on 17, he reflected on his frustration. He had at one point taken the lead but ended up with a round of 69, a disappointing return.
Meanwhile, US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley matched DeChambeau’s total. There’s ongoing discussion about whether he should participate at Beth Page later this year or possibly take a different approach.
Rory McIlroy shot a 72, which means he’s fallen a bit behind. The Northern Irish golfer is likely already shifting his focus toward the US Open next month, as the excitement from his Masters victory begins to fade. In the latest round, both Matt Wallace and Adam Scott advanced, while Matt Fitzpatrick remains in the mix at 5 under after a 72.
