CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The absence of prominent figures at the PGA Championship didn’t prevent high-level golf from shining on Saturday. Scottie Scheffler delivered a masterful performance down the stretch at Quail Hollow, carding a 65, six-under par, and securing a three-shot lead heading into the final round.
Scheffler began his overwhelming performance with a 3-wood shot that left the ball less than three feet from the 14th hole, achieving an eagle that unleashed euphoria. This shot forced Bryson DeChambeau to interrupt his putt on the 17th hole.
The round culminated with an 8-iron from a divot that left the ball less than 10 feet for birdie on the 18th hole, extending the distance between Scheffler and Alex Noren, who with a card of 66 strokes positioned himself to play in the final group alongside the world number one.
DeChambeau, US Open champion, briefly led with a birdie on the 15th hole, but then experienced difficulties and managed to save a 69. At the end, DeChambeau was three strokes behind Scheffler, and six when Scheffler concluded his masterful round, playing the last five holes in five under par.
The third round was interrupted by morning storms, forcing tee times to be changed to groups of three players from both tees, starting near midday. Nine players led at some point.
Among them, two-time major champion Jon Rahm, who has not had a standout performance in the four majors he has played since joining LIV Golf.
It’s hard to express how hungry I can be for a major, almost as much as anyone in this situation. I am very happy to be in this position.
Jon Rahm
Rahm finished almost two hours before Scheffler and anticipated being one stroke behind at the start of the final round.
This golf course is tricky and one shot is nothing in 18 holes.
Jon Rahm
Now, Rahm faces a five-stroke deficit, but with growing confidence in his game.
Scheffler surprisingly shot the lowest score of any round in a major with his 65, reaching a total of 11 under par, 202 strokes, in his quest for a third major.
The 3-wood shot on the 14th hole was the starting point. The up-and-down for birdie on the 15th hole gave him the lead for the first time in the championship. Scheffler was also pleased with the finish, wishing for a fitting conclusion to such an important round.
He sank an 18-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole, one of six birdies on the day, and then finished with a birdie, showing slight emotion in both cases.
Great excitement for me. It was an important moment in the round. I wanted to finish the round the right way. I made good shots down the stretch.
Scottie Scheffler
Rory McIlroy, Masters champion, and Xander Schauffele, defending PGA champion, had a long day, without this affecting their scorecards of 72 strokes. Their tee time, scheduled for 8:25 a.m., was delayed until 1:38 p.m. due to the change to groups of three players.
Davis Riley, whose game has been improving, made three consecutive birdies and two more on holes 14 and 15, for a 67. He was at 7 under par, 206 strokes, along with J.T. Poston, a North Carolina native, who made a birdie on his last hole for a 68.
Rahm tied for fifth with Si Woo Kim and Jhonattan Vegas, who led by two strokes after 18 and 36 holes, respectively, but started Saturday with two consecutive bogeys. Vegas stayed in contention until his ball fell into the water on the 15th hole, resulting in a bogey, and finished his round with a 73 after a three-putt on the 18th hole.
