PGA Championship: Xander Schauffele says Scottie Scheffler’s nonetheless the person to beat regardless of first main win at Valhalla | Golf Information

Xander Schauffele mentioned that his repeated close-calls in majors added “fuel to my fire” as he lastly claimed a maiden victory on the PGA Championship in Valhalla on Sunday.

Schauffele had 12 top-10 finishes in majors earlier than his triumph this week, the place he equalled the report low spherical in males’s main golf (62) on day one and set a brand new report 72-hole low rating of 21-under-par to win the event.

The 30-year-old American carded a six-under 65 on the ultimate day to carry off a spirited problem from Bryson DeChambeau and a star-studded leaderboard to assert a one-shot victory.

“It feels amazing,” Schauffele instructed reporters after his win.

“Winning, I said it earlier, is a result. This is awesome, it’s super sweet, but when I break it down, I’m really proud of how I handled certain moments on the course today, different from the past.”

‘I did not need Bryson play-off’ | ‘Scheffler nonetheless the one we’re chasing’

Schauffele wanted a birdie on the 18th gap to win the event and keep away from the potential for a three-hole play-off towards clubhouse chief DeChambeau on 20 underneath.

“I was pretty nervous,” Schauffele added. “I do not actually bear in mind it [his birdie putt] lipping in, I simply heard everybody roaring and I regarded as much as the sky in aid.

“I actually didn’t wish to go right into a play-off with Bryson. Going up 18 along with his size, it is not one thing that I used to be going to have an entire lot of enjoyable with.

“I was able to capture that moment there… I just kept telling myself I need to earn this, earn this and be in the moment, and I was able to do that.”

Even along with his win, Schauffele would not assume a lot will change when it comes to his outlook almost about his standing on tour.

Regardless of a ‘hectic’ week for world No 1 Scottie Scheffler, which noticed him arrested hours earlier than his second spherical on Friday, Schauffele is left in little question as to who he, and the remainder of golf are chasing.

“All of us are climbing this massive mountain and at the top of the mountain is Scottie Scheffler,” he mentioned. “I won this today, but I’m still not that close to Scottie Scheffler in the big scheme of things.

“I received one good hook up there within the mountain up on that cliff, and I am nonetheless climbing. I may need a beer up there on that aspect of the hill there and revel in this, but it surely’s not that arduous to chase when somebody is to this point forward of you.”

Morikawa: Schauffele one of the best in the world

DeChambeau, despite being edged out for the win, and Collin Morikawa – in the final pairing, finishing tied-fourth – were both full of praise for the popular Schauffele after clinching his maiden major triumph.

“My first feelings, I am pleased with Xander for lastly getting the job achieved,” DeChambeau told reporters. “He is an incredible golfer and a well-deserved main champion now.

“He’s played well for a long, long time. I played against him as a junior. He’s just a great human being, but an unbelievable golfer, and it showed this week. I’m super happy for him.”

He added: “On my aspect of the coin, it is disappointing, however I performed effectively.

“I shot 20-under par in a major championship… it’s one that gives me a lot of momentum for the rest of the majors. I said today it was ‘closing time’, but it will be hopefully over the next couple of majors.”

Morikawa held a share of the lead with Schauffele heading into the ultimate spherical, earlier than a level-par 71 noticed his problem fade away. He mentioned of the brand new PGA champion: “It’s awesome. I’m so happy for him.

“He is top-of-the-line gamers on this planet and he is clearly been shut earlier than. Right this moment was precisely all that put into one.

“He knew what he had to make on 18, and that’s what great players do.”

‘An ideal champion – one of many good guys’

Sky Sports activities’ Wealthy Beem: “Schauffele has been in contention so many times and has not got the win, but this has put to rest all of that anguish, all of that heartache.

“I cherished the response from him, smiles throughout – the aid. What an awesome champion – he is one of many good guys, you like to see it. From the opening bell, a spherical of 62, he was the person to beat. And he lastly closes it out to get his first main championship win.”

Sky Sports activities’ Dame Laura Davies: “Schauffele’s ball-striking this week has been absolutely exceptional.

“We go on about [world No 1] Scottie Scheffler and the brilliance of him, however Schauffele has greater than matched him this week. He’ll benefit from the celebrations, it will likely be happening all evening. What a sensational win.”

What’s next?

The PGA Tour heads to Colonial Country Club next for the Charles Schwab Challenge, where Emiliano Grillo returns as defending champion. Early coverage begins on Thursday from 5pm on Sky Sports Golf, ahead of full coverage from Texas at 9pm.

The next men’s major is the US Open, which is held at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in North Carolina and live from June 13-16 on Sky Sports. Stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, majors and extra with NOW.

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