PGA Championship: How Xander Schauffele silenced critics with historic major victory at Valhalla
Xander Schauffele acknowledged that he employed critiques on his competitive drive as an inspiration to finally clinch his first major victory at the PGA Championship. He accomplished this feat in a remarkable manner, surpassing all previous records.
Schauffele did an excellent job on the last hole by making a birdie after an impressive recovery shot. This secured a one-shot win over Bryson DeChambeau at Valhalla. Throughout the tournament, Schauffele held the lead from start to finish and ended with an outstanding score of 21 under par, which is the best in the history of major championships.
The individual who won the Olympic gold medal has now become the fifth American man in a row to win a major championship, moving him to second place in the global rankings ahead of Rory McIlroy. His victory also shuts up those who doubted his capability to finish off tournaments.
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Schauffele had finished in the top 10 in 12 previous major tournaments but had never won. He had been in a leading position going into the final round, or tied for the lead, eight times before this win, but had only managed to convert two of those opportunities into victories on the PGA Tour. However, on Sunday, he finally broke the streak and claimed his eighth PGA Tour title, which was also his first win since July 2022.
In regards to how he utilized the negative experiences from his past unsuccessful attempts, Schauffele stated, "I undoubtedly carried a grudge. That's just a fact. You all are inquiring and investigating, and it's my responsibility to be present and provide a response."
Now that I have the "Wanamaker Trophy" beside me, it becomes easier to respond. The trophy acts as a motivator for me. Since childhood, it has ignited a spark within me, and especially before this moment.
During the final round of The Players in March, Scheffler managed to surpass Schauffele and take the lead, leaving Schauffele in second place. Then, a week before the PGA Championship, Schauffele engaged in a fierce battle with McIlroy during the Wells Fargo Championship but ultimately came in second place once again. Nevertheless, Schauffele always had a strong belief that he was close to achieving a victory.
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Schauffele mentioned that he had a great time playing at Quail Hollow, as he was able to hit the ball very well. He was happy with his ability to control the direction of the ball, making it curve left or right depending on what he needed. This is important at Valhalla, where the upcoming major tournament is being held, as the course requires this kind of skill. Knowing that he is playing well has made Schauffele feel more confident and calm as he prepares for this major event.
After experiencing several nerve-racking situations, including one just last week, that sensation starts to affect you after a while. This feeling makes this victory even more satisfying. Although it's a major win, being triumphant, in general, is the most gratifying experience for me.
Schauffele Shatters Records In A Week
Schauffele made history during a week of low scores in Kentucky. He achieved the same score as the lowest game in men's major history by shooting a 62 on the first day of the PGA Championship. His accomplishment was groundbreaking.
He quickly got going and became the first player ever to achieve two major scores of 62. This was after he also scored 62 in the first round of the US Open the previous year. On Friday, he scored a 3-under 68, which helped him equal the lowest 36-hole total in a men's major competition.
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Schauffele maintained his position at the top after scoring two birdies in a row to finish his third-round with a score of 68. Shane Lowry also scored a 62 on the first day and repeated this score on the third round. The final round was full of suspense and broke many records.
DeChambeau achieved a remarkable feat with his impressive last-round score of 64, matching the all-time low score in relation to par for a men's major. However, Schauffele outdid him by finishing the tournament on a score of 21 under, setting a new record for a major championship.
Schauffele shared with his caddie, Austin Kaiser, during their turn that if he could reach 22 under, he believed that he would be unbeatable. He expressed that he did not desire to enter a playoff with Bryson as he felt that going up the 18 with Bryson's long distance would not be an enjoyable experience for him.
I had no choice but to take what the course had to offer. Reaching the age of 21 was a must and it feels great to be a part of history.
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Schauffele's Prior Wins - Where?
Schauffele won his first PGA Tour championship at the 2017 Greenbrier Classic. He then went on to secure the season-ending Tour Championship later that year. After not winning for 13 months, he broke the streak by defeating Tony Finau in a play-off to emerge victorious at the 2018 WGC-HSBC Champions.
In January of a subsequent year, he emerged as the victor of the Sentry Tournament of Champions. However, he was not able to clinch another win on the PGA Tour until he collaborated with Patrick Cantlay in April 2022. Despite this, he contributed to a number of successful teams during the period when he was not able to win individually, including the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams. He also brought home the gold medal from the Tokyo Olympics.
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During a span of three weeks in 2022, Schauffele achieved great success. He won the Travelers Championship in the United States, triumphed at the JP McManus Pro-Am in Ireland, and scored a one-shot victory at the Genesis Scottish Open. However, he did not win again until his recent major victory.
Schauffele stated that he has been able to develop patience despite not achieving any wins in the previous years. He acknowledged that he can be determined and persistent, and that winning is simply an outcome. Although he is delighted with the victory, he is especially proud of how he dealt with challenges on the golf course, which is different from his previous experiences. Individuals who know him well are aware of his growth and development.
Will Schauffele Catch Up To Scheffler?
It is anticipated that Schauffele will take a break of two weeks and soon resume his participation at The Memorial Tournament, which is one of the major events of the PGA tour. He is regarded as one of the top contenders when the US Open tak s place at Pinehurst the subsequent week.
The individual, who is 30 years old, has achieved a minimum ranking of 14th in each of the seven previous US Open events. Schauffele has also competed in the Travelers Championship and Genesis Scottish Open, where he has emerged victorious in the past. He is scheduled to participate in The Open, which is set to take place at Royal Troon in July.
There is a possibility of a great summer ahead as the athlete plans to defend his Olympic title in Paris, after winning the last Olympic games in Tokyo. Schauffele has set his sights on improving his game even further and giving tough competition to Scheffler in the men's category.
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Schauffele clarified that everyone is striving to reach the summit of a colossal mountain. Scottie Scheffler is currently positioned at the mountain top. Although, even if Schauffele has triumphed, he is still far from catching up with Scheffler's accomplishment in the grand picture.
I found a great catch while climbing the mountain by scaling the cliff, and I'm still making my way up. I'm thinking about grabbing a cold one and taking in the view from the other side of the hill, but it's not difficult to pursue when someone is already way ahead of you.
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