Scheffler holds off Rahm to win first PGA Championship

The 28-year-old American celebrated his third Grand Slam title in Charlotte.

Published by

19 de mayo, 2025

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PGA
Golf

American Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 golfer, held off a late surge from Spain’s Jon Rahm on Sunday to win the PGA Championship, securing the third Grand Slam title of his career.

The 28-year-old American celebrated his first major victory outside the Augusta Masters in Charlotte, North Carolina, having previously won the Masters in 2022 and 2024.

Usually impassive, Scheffler finally let off steam as he sank the final putt on the Quail Hollow course, emotionally embracing his caddie and tossing his cap onto the turf.

The world number one finished with a total of 273 strokes (11 under par), securing a commanding five-stroke lead over fellow Americans Bryson DeChambeau, Harris English and Davis Riley.

Scheffler began the final day with a three-stroke lead, but his victory was seriously threatened when Rahm caught up with him midway through the round.

Uncharacteristically erratic, Scheffler stumbled with three bogeys in the first half of the round, while Rahm, who had been in excellent form at Quail Hollow since Saturday, caught up by making three birdies between holes 8 and 11.

Known for his composure, Scheffler answered the challenge with a crucial birdie on the 10th hole, while Rahm narrowly missed a birdie by inches on the 13th.

Losing sight of the leader, the Spaniard faltered in the final stretch, recording a bogey and two double bogeys over the last three holes.

"I knew it was going to be a challenging day. Finishing a Grand Slam is always tough," Scheffler admitted. "I did well to stay patient on the front nine despite not having my best game, and I stepped up on the back nine. I’m very proud of how I fought this week."

Jon Rahm: "It was very close"

Rahm finished in eighth place, seven strokes behind the leader, but expressed satisfaction with his effort to contend for his first major title since winning the 2023 Masters.

"It was very close. God, I haven't had that much fun on a golf course in a long time," said the Saudi LIV Golf Tour star. "The result is horrible, but feeling-wise I wasn't that far off. There's a lot of positives to take out of this week."

Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas, the unexpected leader after the first two rounds, posted a solid 72 (+1) to finish tied for fifth at five under par—his best Grand Slam result at age 40.

Chilean Joaquin Niemann shone even brighter on Sunday, shooting a 68 (-3) that moved him up to eighth place at four under par, marking his first top-10 finish in a major championship.

Colombian Nico Echavarría,Colombian Nico Echavarría, meanwhile, finished with a round of 73 strokes (+2) that dropped him to 41st place at +2.

The company of Woods and Nicklaus

Scheffler’s victory extends the dominance of American golfers at the PGA Championship, the second Grand Slam event on the calendar following the Augusta Masters.

The last non-American to win the PGA Championship was Australian Jason Day in 2015.

Scheffler, winner of 15 PGA titles, was among the few contenders who stayed steady during the unpredictable first two rounds, which were dominated by Jhonattan Vegas—the first Venezuelan to lead a Grand Slam event in history.

The biggest disappointment was Rory McIlroy, a top favorite after his Augusta triumph last month. The Northern Irishman finished 47th (+3) in Charlotte and did not attend any press conferences throughout the four rounds.

The victory brightens Scheffler’s otherwise dull start to the season, during which he had to recover from a cut on his right hand sustained while preparing dinner last Christmas.

His first win of the year finally came at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson earlier this month.

He has now joined the legendary Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as the only golfers in the last 80 years to win at least three Grand Slam crowns and a total of 15 titles before the age of 29.

The last ten PGA Championship winners

Below are the last ten winners of the PGA Championship, the second major tournament of the men’s golf season, which concluded Sunday in Charlotte, North Carolina, with American Scottie Scheffler’s victory.

2025: Scottie Scheffler (USA)

2024: Xander Schauffele (USA)

2023: Brooks Koepka (USA)

2022: Justin Thomas (USA)

2021: Phil Mickelson (USA)

2020: Collin Morikawa (USA)

2019: Brooks Koepka (USA)

2018: Brooks Koepka (USA)

2017: Justin Thomas (USA)

2016: Jimmy Walker (USA)

The golfers with the most PGA Championship titles:

Jack Nicklaus (USA) 5 (1963, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1980)