Xander Schauffele Makes History at Valhalla Golf Club

Xander Schauffele Wins Thrilling PGA Championship at Valhalla

Valhalla Golf Club in Kentucky has hosted the PGA Championship four times, and each edition has delivered high drama down the stretch. This year’s tournament was no exception, as Xander Schauffele emerged victorious in thrilling fashion.

On Sunday, Schauffele capped off a stellar performance by draining a crucial 6-foot birdie putt on the final hole to hold off Bryson DeChambeau by one stroke and claim his first major championship. Schauffele’s 21-under-par score is the lowest in men’s major history, and his 25 birdies tie the most ever recorded in a PGA Championship.

“This is the biggest win of my career, and I’m thrilled to have finally broken through at a major championship,” said Schauffele.

The victory was a significant milestone for Schauffele, who had been knocking on the door of major glory for the better part of the last decade. He is the first player in men’s golf history to shoot a round of 62 in a major and go on to win the tournament.

Over the last two weeks, Schauffele has led or co-led seven of the eight rounds he’s played, with the lone exception being when Rory McIlroy stormed past him at Quail Hollow on May 12. This time, he finished the job, picking up the biggest win of his professional career.

DeChambeau’s runner-up finish at 20-under-par was also impressive, as he became the first player to shoot -20 or lower in a major and not win. The former U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open champion showcased his exceptional play off the tee and around the greens, leading the field in both driving distance and scrambling.

Notable Performances

Viktor Hovland’s third-place finish marked his second consecutive top-three result at the PGA Championship, a feat achieved by only a few players since 2000.
Collin Morikawa and Thomas Detry also delivered strong performances, finishing in a tie for fourth.

Course Conditions

The soft, rain-soaked Valhalla Golf Club proved to be one of the most gettable venues in major championship history, with the field combined 214 strokes under par – the most in PGA Championship history. The final-round scoring average of 69.26 was lower than several recent PGA Tour events, highlighting the course’s accessibility.

As the golf world turns its attention to the upcoming U.S. Open at Pinehurst next month, Xander Schauffele will look to become the first player to win the U.S. Open and PGA Championship in the same season since Brooks Koepka in 2018.

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