Valhalla Golf Club has a history of delivering high drama during the PGA Championship, and this year was no exception. Xander Schauffele, who had been knocking on the door of history for years, finally broke through to win his first major championship. His victory was filled with impressive stats and records.
Schauffele’s final round was nerve-wracking, but he sealed the win with a clutch 6-foot birdie putt on the last hole. His score of 21-under-par is the lowest in men’s major history, and he made 25 birdies throughout the tournament, tying the record for the most birdies ever made in a PGA Championship. Schauffele is also the first player to make 25 or more birdies in multiple majors in his career.
What makes Schauffele’s win even more remarkable is that he shot a round of 62 in a major and went on to win, making him the first player in men’s golf history to achieve this feat. He also led after all four rounds, becoming just the fifth player since 2000 to accomplish this in a PGA Championship.
Leading up to his victory, Schauffele had been in top form. In the past two weeks, he has led or co-led seven out of eight rounds he played. This consistency is reminiscent of Tiger Woods, who achieved the same feat in 2000 when he won the PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Schauffele’s performance on the greens was exceptional. He hit 60 greens in regulation throughout the week, three more than any other player. His accuracy was unmatched, with an 83 percent rate of greens hit, the highest by a PGA Champion since 2000.
Bryson DeChambeau also put on an impressive display, finishing one stroke behind Schauffele at 20-under-par. Although he fell short of victory, DeChambeau became the first player to shoot minus-20 or lower in a major championship and not win. His touch around the greens was exceptional, scrambling at a 90 percent clip, which is the second-best up-and-down rate for a player in any major in the last 30 years.
Valhalla proved to be a favorable venue for players this year. The course played as one of the most-gettable venues in major championship history, with the field finishing a combined 214 strokes under par. This is the most under par for a PGA field ever recorded. The average approach shot at Valhalla was also closer than the average approach on the PGA Tour for the entire 2024 season.
Viktor Hovland, who finished in third place, showed great improvement throughout the tournament. He entered the week without a single top-15 result on the PGA Tour in 2024 but managed to rank fifth in ball-striking statistics at Valhalla. This strong performance bodes well for his prospects this season.
Collin Morikawa, who finished tied for fourth, continued his impressive run in majors, being the only player to finish in the top five in each of this year’s first two majors. Despite a disappointing Sunday, Morikawa remains a strong contender in future tournaments.
Scottie Scheffler ended his chaotic week with a solid 65 on Sunday, making seven birdies and finishing in the top 10. Scheffler has consistently performed well in major championships, with 11 top-10 finishes in his career.
Justin Thomas had a solid performance, finishing tied for eighth place. His strong ball-striking abilities were evident throughout the week, but he struggled with his putting, ranking low in strokes gained putting.
Jordan Spieth had a forgettable week, finishing tied for 43rd place. His quest for the career grand slam will have to wait, as he was an afterthought on Sunday.
Looking ahead, the U.S. Open at Pinehurst is set to take place next month. Schauffele will attempt to become the first player since Brooks Koepka in 2018 to win both the U.S. Open and PGA Championship in the same season. American players have been dominating the major championships recently, with five different winners in the last five tournaments.
The 124th U.S. Open promises to be an exciting event, and fans eagerly await to see if Schauffele can continue his winning streak.