Scottie Scheffler Takes Commanding Three-Stroke Lead into PGA Championship Final Round
Charlotte, NC – May 18, 2025
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler has positioned himself as the man to beat at the 2025 PGA Championship, storming into a three-stroke lead after a scintillating third-round performance at Quail Hollow Club. Scheffler’s six-under-par 65 on Saturday, capped by a stunning five-under finish over his final five holes, has him at 11-under for the tournament, placing him firmly in the driver’s seat as he chases his first Wanamaker Trophy and third major title.
Scheffler’s late surge included a jaw-dropping eagle on the par-four 14th, where his 304-yard drive landed three feet from the pin, followed by birdies on the 15th, 17th, and the notoriously difficult 18th, known as part of Quail Hollow’s “Green Mile.” His performance drew widespread praise on X, with @GOLF_com describing it as “inevitable, inescapable, unavoidable, relentless,” highlighting four “superhuman swings” that seized control of the tournament.
Sweden’s Alex Noren sits in solo second at eight-under after a five-under 66, a remarkable feat given he’s playing only his second event of 2025 following a seven-month injury layoff. J.T. Poston and Davis Riley are tied for third at seven-under, while Jhonattan Vegas, Jon Rahm, and Si Woo Kim are among those at six-under, five shots back. Vegas, who led after the first two rounds, struggled to a two-over 73, hampered by a bogey on the 18th.
Scheffler’s dominance is no surprise given his history of closing out 54-hole leads. He’s converted nine of 15 such leads on the PGA Tour, including his Masters victories in 2022 and 2024. His recent form, including a record-tying 31-under-par win at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson two weeks ago, underscores his readiness. “You work your whole life to have a chance to win major tournaments,” Scheffler said. “Tomorrow I have a good opportunity to go out there and try and win, but it’s going to take another really good round.”
The leaderboard tightened earlier on “Moving Day,” with 26 players within three shots of the lead at one point, but Scheffler’s late charge separated him from the pack. Bryson DeChambeau, who briefly held the lead, faltered with a double bogey on the 17th, finishing at five-under. Rory McIlroy, fresh off a Masters win, struggled to a one-over 72, leaving him 13 shots off the pace and out of contention.
Despite a weather delay of over three hours due to thunderstorms, Scheffler remained unfazed, leveraging his iron play and improved putting—now among the tour’s best in 2025—to navigate Quail Hollow’s challenges. Posts on X captured the sentiment, with @PGATOUR noting his “5-under on his final 5 holes” as a testament to his pursuit of major glory.
As Scheffler heads into Sunday’s final round, paired with Noren at 2:40 p.m. ET, the field faces a daunting task. Only four players this century have overcome a three-shot deficit after 54 holes to win the PGA Championship, and with Scheffler’s current form, that feat seems improbable. Fans and analysts alike are bracing for a potential coronation of golf’s top-ranked player, whose relentless consistency continues to redefine excellence.
Coverage of the final round will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+, with live updates available on CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports App.