13 golfers woke up on Sunday within five shots of Schauffele and Collin Morikawa’s lead (-15). Schauffele carded six birdies — beginning on No. 1 — and one bogey en route to a 6-under 65. (Morikawa, let down by his putter, never tested Schauffele; Collin’s first birdie came on No. 18. He finished T5 with Thomas Detry).
For the first time in major history, two players finished at -20 or better. Schauffele’s 21-under par is the lowest score in major history.
Replicating his sturdy Moving Day, Schauffele only made one glaring miscue in his final round — a misplayed approach with a fairway wood on the par-5 10th. A Hovland birdie on No. 12 locked the score at 18-under. Hovland quickly went to -19.
Instead of relenting leaderboard positioning, Schauffele sharpened his focus. Instead of letting another opportunity slip away by playing not to lose, the 30-year-old responded with appropriate aggression.
The San Diego-native placed his tee shot on the par-3 11th onto the green. On the par-4 12th, he piped his second shot over the trees. On the tricky par-3 14th, Schauffele pin-hunted, again. These are the shots that win majors!
Needing a birdie on the par-5 18th hole to avoid a playoff, Schauffele’s drive caught the rough just over the left fairway bunker. From 248 yards, with his feet in the sand and 4-iron in hand, he left his ball in a safe area short of the green — setting up a chip and putt he’s executed millions of time in his life.
“I really didn’t want to go into a playoff against Bryson,” Schauffele said. “I told myself this was my opportunity. Just capture it.”
All DeChambeau — who tied Schauffele with an 11-footer on No. 18 after a lucky bounce on his drive — could do was hopelessly watch from the range as Xander displaced the proverbial monkey from his back. (Bryson congratulated Xander moments later.)
Schauffele had been 2-for-8 closing tourneys when he held a 54-hole lead. He hadn’t won on the PGA Tour since the 2022 Genesis Scottish Open.
“I was kind of emotional after the putt lipped in,” said Xander. “It’s been a while since I’ve won. I kept saying all week I need to stay in my lane, and man was it hard to stay in my lane today. But I tried. I tried to just stay focused.”
While Schauffele kept his cool, Hovland and Bryson lit up Louisville. DeChambeau, as he did at the Masters, repped LIV Golf with aplomb, electrifying the crowds with fist pumps, hole-outs, and breathtaking bombing. Bryson, who carded a bogey-free 64, now has four top-10s in his last seven majors.
Not to be outdone (until a three-putt on No. 18), Hovland — fresh off a reunion with famed swing coach Joe Mayo — posted his fourth straight round in the 60s, a hugely encouraging sign.
Hovland, six-time PGA Tour winner, had a real case as the best player in the world late last summer, as he rolled through the FedEx Cup playoffs and the Ryder Cup. This season, though, his best finish had been a T19. He ranked 113th in Strokes Gained: Total entering Sunday.
(For all the gripes with Valhalla — the lack of variety and bogey threats it produces — it’s last four PGA Championships — 1996, 2000, 2014, 2014 — have been decided on the 18th hole.)
It was Schauffele’s time. He’s owned the unwanted label of “Best Player Without a Major” label for two years — unless you want to argue for Hovland. In 27 major starts, the Olympic gold medalist and seven-time PGA Tour winner had 20 top-20 finishes, 12 top-10s, and six top-5s.
“Proud of Xander for finally getting the job done,” DeChambeau said. “I mean, he’s an amazing golfer and a well-deserved major champion now. He’s played well for a long, long time.”
This year, Schauffele, ranked no. 3 in the world, has been the second-most consistent player on the PGA Tour. He finished runner-up to Rory McIlroy at last week’s Wells Fargo Championship. He was T2 behind Scottie Scheffler at the Players Championship. (Scheffler shot a 6-under 65 on Sunday — securing a T8 finish in an event during which he went to jail.)
Schauffele exuded command of the (forgiving) course. He tied the major single-round record with a 62 on Thursday. He led after the second and third rounds. He easily led the field in total strokes gained.
“I was looking up at the board,” said Schauffele.” There’s been times where I tried to look away from it until the back nine, but today I was looking at it. I just wanted to be aware of everything. I wanted to know exactly where I stood. I wanted to address my feelings when they were happening.”
And on Sunday, he finally closed. Now, somebody brew Xander Schauffele a hot pot of coffee (with a splash of Kentucky bourbon).
