The 2024 PGA Championship has come to an end and Xander Schauffele is officially a major champion. Schauffele held off the charging Bryson DeChambeau with a birdie on the 18th hole to claim his 8th PGA Tour win and first Major Championship victory at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Here are some thoughts that I have on the 2024 PGA Championship and Schauffele’s maiden major victory!
THE CHAMPION……XANDER SCHAUFFELE
It pains me to use this man as the example for where I’m going, but Xander Schauffele was entering (or had already even entered) Rickie Fowler from 2014-2018 territory in majors. Fowler famously finished top-5 in every major in 2014 (including the PGA Championship at Valhalla) but never crossed the finish line on top. That led to Fowler constantly being discussed as a man who could be the next to win a major, but he still hasn’t. And the way things are looking for Rickie, he probably never will. Schauffele’s name, much like Rickie’s, over the recent years has been talked about going into the Major weeks and his name has been seen on the leaderboard a lot….but there was never a victory. Schauffele put an end to that this week with exceptional play from the start. I admittedly didn’t think he’d be able to follow up his opening round of 62, but he proved me wrong. I have a feeling that finally getting this one off his back might be huge for him in the coming years.
BRYSON DECHAMBEAU MOVES THE NEEDLE
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 19: Bryson DeChambeau of the United States reacts on the 18th green during the final round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on May 19, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
It feels like fans have always either loved or hated Bryson and there was no in between. I will admit that I have always been in the hate category. However, the man can make you feel when watching a golf tournament. I hated every second of his last few holes. Like, how the hell did his ball come out of the trees on the 16th and set him up perfectly for a birdie? Why did that ball have to fall over the edge and into the cup for birdie on 18? I’ve always said that I’d rather dislike who won a tournament over having someone who doesn’t move the needle win a tournament. Bryson does that for me. He moved the dislike needle a lot and I’m happy he provided the fireworks in this one.
THE BEST PLAYERS NEED TO BE TOGETHER AGAIN
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 17: Brooks Koepka of the United States, caddie Ricky Elliott, and Jordan Spieth of the United States walk the fifth hole during the second round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on May 17, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Bryson being in contention once again reminded us how the best golfers in the world NEED to be back together. The game is better when all the stars are playing together week in and week out.
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER….WHAT A WEEK
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 19: Scottie Scheffler of the United States walks off the 18th green during the final round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on May 19, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
I will never forget how it felt to wake up on Friday morning and see that Scottie Scheffler was ARRESTED! A guy that I’m pretty sure has never had a bad thing said about him by his peers is in trouble with the law.And then he goes out and shoots at 66! To even finish inside the Top-10 after what he went through is insanely impressive. There’s a reason he’s the best male golfer on the planet at the moment and one of the top two golfers in the world (more on that later) right now.
VALHALLA…..MEH
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 19: Xander Schauffele of the United States plays his shot from the 17th tee during the final round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on May 19, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
I don’t really think there’s anything special about this course. No holes stick out in my memory as ones that I’ll remember years from now. I also don’t think there was much punishment for a bad shot. I know the conditions played into it, but two guys finish at 20-under or better? I’m good with Valhalla for a while.
VIKTOR HOVLAND FROM OUT OF NOWHERE
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 19: Viktor Hovland of Norway plays an approach shot from the 17th fairway during the final round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on May 19, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
If I typed that title out back in the fall you would’ve called me crazy because Hovland was playing some of the best golf on the planet. But 2024 has been….not good for Viktor. He’s struggled with his swing and hasn’t been in contention at all. He himself admitted that he almost withdrew from the tournament before it started because of how lost he was with his game. So what did he do this week? He went out and finished solo 3rd. Golf’s weird like that. These guys can be playing such bad golf that they don’t even want to play and then all of a sudden they’re in contention on Sunday at a Major Championship.
NON PGA CHAMPIONSHIP RELATED……..NELLY KORDA IS ON A DAMN HEATER
JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY – MAY 19: Nelly Korda of the United States poses with the winner’s trophy after winning the Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National Golf Club on May 19, 2024 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Nelly Korda entered the 2024 LPGA season with 8 career victories. She has played 8 tournaments so far in 2024 and now has 14 career victories. Korda captured her SIXTH LPGA title this season on Sunday at the Mizuho Americas Open at Liberty National in New Jersey. Earlier this season she had won five consecutive starts on Tour, including the fifth of the five being a Major Championship. With all the talk revolving around women’s sports these days, Korda needs to get some attention. I know that golf is a niche sport, but winning 6 of 7 starts is something that absolutely has to be recognized in the sports world right now.
