From Mugshot to Major Champion
Scottie Scheffler capped a remarkable comeback on Sunday by winning his first PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. Just one year after his arrest ahead of the same tournament, the World No. 1 golfer swapped controversy for triumph, capturing the prestigious Wanamaker Trophy with an 11-under-par finish — five strokes ahead of Bryson DeChambeau, Davis Riley, and Harris English.
Scheffler bogeyed the final hole, but his victory was already secure. Overcome with emotion, he spiked his hat, embraced his caddie Ted Scott, and shared a heartfelt moment with his wife Meredith and their infant son.
“This is a lot of fun,” Scheffler told CNN following his win. “But at the end of the day, life at home for us is pretty much the same… I’m looking forward to getting home and celebrating with them.”
A Career Milestone and Historic Company
At just 28 years old, Scheffler now holds three major titles, joining an elite club that includes Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as the only players to win three majors and 15 PGA Tour titles. His previous major victories came at the Masters in 2022 and 2024.
Scheffler’s path to his third major was far from smooth. After a self-described “stupid” hand injury on Christmas Day required surgery, he delayed the start of his season until late January. He remained winless through early spring before breaking through two weeks ago with a win at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas.
Despite entering the final round at Quail Hollow with a three-stroke lead, Scheffler’s early struggles on Sunday — including three bogeys on the front nine — threatened to unravel his chances. But he regrouped, delivering a stellar back nine performance and sinking consecutive birdies on holes 14 and 15 to pull ahead for good.
A Hard Fall for Rahm, a Sweet Victory for Scheffler
LIV Golf’s Jon Rahm emerged as Scheffler’s main challenger, briefly taking the lead with a strong front nine. However, Rahm’s hopes collapsed on the back nine, particularly on Quail Hollow’s notorious Green Mile, where he double-bogeyed twice and bogeyed once. The two-time major winner ultimately fell to a tie for eighth place.
“I think it’s the first time I’ve been in position to win a major that close and haven’t done it,” Rahm said after the round. “It’s not the end of the world… I’ll get over it. I’ll move on.”
Scheffler, in contrast, reflected on his emotional journey since last year’s tournament, where he was arrested trying to bypass a traffic stop outside Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville. Charged with multiple offenses, including second-degree assault on a police officer, the charges were later dismissed.
“I’ve got a few jokes I’ll keep to myself,” Scheffler said after the win. “But I can tell you, it’s very sweet sitting here with the trophy this year.”
Looking Ahead to the US Open
Scheffler’s victory makes him one of the most dominant players in recent memory. Notably, he has now won each of his first three majors by more than three strokes — a feat previously matched only by Seve Ballesteros in the past century.
As he sets his sights on the upcoming US Open at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, Scheffler remains focused but humble.
“This golf course will keep you on your toes,” he said of Quail Hollow. “I played a really good nine holes when I really needed to.”
With his name etched further into golf history, Scheffler will now look to add a fourth major to his growing legacy — this time without the shadows of controversy.