2025 PGA Championship Final Round: Scheffler's Rise and McIlroy's Struggles

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Scottie Scheffler took home the 107th PGA Championship, shooting a final-round 71 to win by five shots. Who else won on Sunday? Who fell short? We call ’em like we see ’em around here. They are:

2025 PGA Championship Day 4 Winners

Scottie Scheffler: Sunday wasn’t a coronation, but righting himself after a shaky front nine was a testament to his fortitude. To go from tied early on the back nine to up six on the final hole was also a reminder that golf hasn’t had a closer like this since in-prime Tiger Woods. On to Oakmont.

Career Grand Slam Hype: Just after Rory McIlroy’s performance at Augusta, Scheffler has now secured two major championships and has the next two lined up for this summer. You might want to grab some popcorn.

Harris English: The veteran made a pile of cash in finishing T2 with a closing 65 (including a five-birdie 31 on the back), his best round in a major. And don’t rule him out for the Ryder Cup team, the 35-year-old won earlier this year and majors award one-and-a-half points per $1,000 won instead of one per $1,000 for regular Tour events. Let's see if he can keep it going at Oakmont.

Davis Riley: After a triple-bogey 8 at the par-5 7th, the Mississippi native was clean the rest of the way with three birdies, climbing into the three-way tie for second for his best major finish. And he also punched a ticket to next year’s Masters.

Keegan Bradley: The U.S. Ryder Cup captain opened with three bogeys in his first seven holes Sunday but showed the kind of mettle he hopes his team has in September, shooting 1-over 72 to finish in the top 10. Chatter around being a playing captain is still alive, and it was a solid showing for several Americans likely to be on his squad.

Joaquin Niemann: We were hard on the Chilean in this space yesterday For ongoing letdowns in majors, however, an impressive 68-shot performance on Sunday propelled him from tied for 31st to tied for eighth — his strongest result in a major so far. This achievement secures his spot in next year’s PGA, which is crucial for someone affiliated with LIV Golf.

2025 PGA Championship Final Round Eliminated Players

Jon Rahm: He managed to catch up with Scheffler early on the latter part of his round, yet several unfortunate breaks along with some errant shots pushed him out of the running. As the sole contender posing a challenge to Scheffler, he faced disappointment as there were no consolation prizes for being second-best on this particular Sunday for the twice-major-winning player.

Bryson DeChambeau: It will be recorded in the books as a T2 finish, however, it turned out to be a rather subdued afternoon considering DeChambeau possesses possibly unmatched power compared to his competitors.

Rory McIlroy: It hadn't been his week, but one might excuse him for experiencing a post-Masters letdown. However, no such leniency is granted for this. skipping out on the media for four straight days When he could have utilized a brief conversation to resolve the backlash surrounding the non-conforming driver he had been compelled to replace earlier in the week.

Max Homa: As much as his Friday 64 seemed to be a turning point In a prolonged effort to regain his form, a disappointing performance over the weekend of July 6-7 left him sharing 60th place. During Sunday’s round, he threw down an iron following a subpar approach shot, clearly showing his irritation.

Joggers: We're not the fashion police, but Alex Noren’s outfit on Sunday appeared rather dowdy for someone aiming for a Wanamaker trophy. Competing in the last group with Scheffler, he scored a 76 and ended up tied for 17th place.

This piece was initially released on www.si.com as 2025 PGA Championship Final Round Standings: Elevating Scottie Scheffler’s Legacy, Challenging Week for Rory McIlroy .

PGA Championship 2025: Jon Rahm's Poignant Admission of His Shocking Finish at Quail Hollow

CHARLOTTE — After concluding his remarks inside the interview tent on Sunday at Quail Hollow, Jon Rahm swiftly cast a final look towards a nearby TV screen as he stood up from his seat. Just moments prior, the golfer from Spain had candidly discussed his significant downfall which led him from potentially securing the third major victory needed for a career Grand Slam to ending up merely among those trailing far behind the winner, Scottie Scheffler.

FURTHER: Scottie Scheffler claims his third career major title.

Once Rahm concluded his speech, Scheffler had already secured his third major championship and first PGA Championship victory. All Rahm could focus on were the final standings. As he searched for his own name among those top positions displayed, it remained absent from the leaderboard.

"Still a raw wound at present," Rahm stated calmly about the disappointment he endured during the past couple of hours. Despite coming back from being five strokes behind to tie Scheffler for the lead, Rahm failed to take advantage of his birdie opportunities and ended up with bogey, double bogey, and another double bogey on the final three holes known as the Green Mile. This downfall resulted in a score of two-over par 73, causing him to drop to a tie for eighth place—seven strokes shy of Scheffler’s leading total.

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When asked whether his difficulties were due to nerves or some other factor, Rahm provided a detailed account of why his drives have been slightly off. He explained that he has been attempting to reduce his typical fade at a course where draws tend to perform better. However, the 30-year-old player also stated frankly, "If anyone ever claims from this spot that nerves didn’t play a role, they’re definitely not telling the truth. Managing one’s thoughts is essentially what we professionals do in our sport."

He later stated, "I believe it was partly due to some nervousness. It’s hard to identify precisely at the moment. I will review what took place. I didn’t sense that I hurried through things. The procedure itself didn’t seem flawed."

While Scheffler found himself at two over par after scoring 37 on his first nine holes, Rahm appeared to be the most assured golfer on the field. On Saturday, he demonstrated his capability by securing a spot among the leaders with a score of 67. With former Major winners such as Bryson DeChambeau also in the mix, Rahm had the opportunity to make a strong push forward; however, being five strokes behind made catching up to the World Number One seem quite challenging.

However, starting his round with seven consecutive pars, Rahm then heated up, securing birdies at holes 8, 10, and 11. When Scheffler made a bogey at the ninth hole, the gap was closed, leaving them level.

"Wow, it's been quite some time since I enjoyed myself so much out on a golf course," Rahm remarked with a smile.

You understand your standing because, regardless of whether you choose not to check the leaderboard, the spectators make sure you’re aware," he explained. "Their enthusiasm ensures this happens, as they will inform you no matter what. For instance, when I sank my putt on hole number 12, simultaneously hearing applause from hole 10 indicated to me that Scottie had scored a birdie. You can sense these things after being in those situations numerous times.

Certainly, Scheffler's birdie on the par-5 10th hole returned the Texan to the top spot, and he maintained that position thereafter. Meanwhile, Rahm experienced a significant setback when his attempt for a birdie at the 13th rimmed out. Following this, issues with his putting and driving continued to challenge him severely. At holes 14 and 15, he failed to convert birdie opportunities from distances of nine and twelve feet respectively. On the 16th, he hit his drive poorly into a greenside bunker and ended up with a bogey. Then, at the par-3 17th, his tee shot rolled off the green and into the water hazard. Finally, on the 18th, he drove into the stream and ultimately finished with a score of six.

Jon Rahm throws his putter into the air after missing his putt at the 16th hole.

Scott Taetsch/PGA of America

"Yeah, those last three holes were really hard to take in," said Rahm, the 2021 U.S. Open champion and 2023 Masters victor, adding unprompted that this marked his first experience holding a lead going into the final round of a major championship but failing to seal the win.

As he reflected on his errors, Rahm aimed to highlight the positive aspects as well. After the 11-time PGA Tour champion departed for LIV Golf before the start of the 2024 season, he began to fade from the broader sports audience’s attention. In major tournaments, where he faced even tougher competition, his performance varied widely last year—he finished tied for 45th at the Masters, failed to make the cut at the PGA Championship, withdrew due to a toe injury during the U.S. Open, and placed seventh at The Open Championship. During his time in LIV, however, Rahm enjoyed a successful campaign, securing two victories.

During the Masters in April, Rahm frequently showed his frustration with a score of 75 in the opening round; however, he bounced back by scoring six under par for the remainder of the event and ended up tying for 14th place. This season on LIV, although Rahm hasn't secured a victory yet, he has managed to finish within the top 10 in all seven tournaments he has participated in.

"I’m genuinely delighted to have set myself up for this opportunity and hopefully gain some insight from it, so I can make another attempt at the U.S. Open," Rahm stated.

As his press conference drew to an end, Rahm checked his watch and pondered whether he could still make it back home in time to put his children to sleep. He then remembered a quote attributed to Charles Barkley: “I mean, I earn my living playing golf; it’s amazing,” Rahm remarked. “Do I feel slightly ashamed about how I ended today? Yes. However, I must overcome this disappointment, let go of my frustration. It isn’t the apocalypse. Unlike doctors or emergency responders, whose performance can directly impact lives severely when they have tough days, all I’ve got to do is pick myself up and continue forward.”

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Scottie Scheffler Claims Third Major Title at PGA Championship

Scottie Scheffler outdid his own expectations and achieved what many anticipated at the PGA Championship on Sunday: He strolled confidently towards the 18th green, assured of securing yet another major trophy as the world's top-ranked golfer.

When Scheffler needed to perform flawlessly during his round at Quail Hollow’s closing holes, he delivered exactly that. Meanwhile, Jon Rahm and others faltered with mistakes as they attempted to close the gap. The last day remained nerve-wracking until Scheffler secured his lead by consistently hitting fairways and greens.

Above video: PGA golfer Billy Horschel frightens an alligator away from a Florida golf course.

He finished with a bogey that didn’t affect his scoreline of an even-par 71, securing a five-stroke triumph and claiming his third major championship. Scheffler emerged as the first golfer since Seve Ballesteros to win each of their initial three major titles by at least three strokes.

A complete opposite of a snoozer? Absolutely not. It became evident when Scheffler lifted his arms at the 18th green before violently slamming his hat onto the ground.

When Scheffler secured his initial Masters green jacket in 2022, he led by five strokes heading into the final hole. The previous year at Augusta National, he maintained a four-stroke advantage over the competition. Additionally, during another tournament at Quail Hollow, he held a commanding six-stroke lead.

But this certainly didn't seem like taking a leisurely stroll.

He held a commanding five-stroke advantage as he stepped onto the sixth tee. However, due to an inconsistent drive resulting in two bogeys, coupled with Rahm’s impressive run of three birdies over four holes around the turnaround point, they found themselves level when Scheffler arrived at the 10th tee.

The competition seemed headed for an intense finale as Bryson DeChambeau tried hard to stay competitive. However, Scheffler appeared to be the superior player throughout. Notably, he did not miss a single shot from either the tee or the fairway until his lead was reduced to just four strokes.

READ MORE: Scottie Scheffler clinches the PGA Championship for his third major victory.

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DeChambeau, English, and Riley Tied for Second at PGA Championship, 5 Back from Scheffler

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Bryson DeChambeau used one term to describe his second-place finish at the PGA Championship: "bewildering."

The power hitter also seemed thrilled to get out of Charlotte and as far away from Quail Hollow's closing three holes known as the Green Mile as he could.

The Green Mile had an impact on me yesterday and somewhat again today – and that’s golf for you," DeChambeau stated. "I have to become more accurate and correct whatever I can to improve my consistency and reach where someone like Scottie (Scheffler) is at presently.

DeChambeau finished the last three holes at Quail Hollow with an score of 4-over par during the weekend rounds and ended up tying for second place along with Harris English and Davis Riley at 6-under 278, trailing Scheffler by five strokes.

DeChambeau described the final holes at Quail Hollow as some of the most challenging he has ever encountered.

On both days of the weekend, he managed to birdie the challenging par-4 15th hole and approached the Green Mile aiming to put pressure on Scheffler.

He never did.

Rather, DeChambeau had to find solace in securing his third top-5 result in the past four major tournaments, which includes his victory at last year's U.S. Open. In his most recent 11 major events, he has achieved seven top-10 placements.

"I’m always thrilled to be in the top five at a major,” DeChambeau stated. “It feels like I’m performing well when I achieve that, but honestly, it’s frustrating not to seal the deal since that was my main objective.”

Next, he aims to secure his third U.S. Open title at Oakmont later this month.

“I’m going to work extremely hard to make that happen," DeChambeau stated.

Riley will accompany him.

Following rounds of 68 and 67 on Friday and Saturday respectively, he finished with a less satisfactory score of 72 but managed to secure a tied-second position, which was undoubtedly his finest showing in a major so far. This result propelled him to 53rd place globally, thereby qualifying him for participation in the U.S. Open.

The top four competitors in the PGA Championship secured a guaranteed entry into the 2026 Masters tournament.

"I'm hoping this will propel me forward so I can become more competitive in some of these major tournaments," Riley stated.

England posted the lowest score of the day, carding a 65 after recording 6-under par over his last 12 holes. This performance featured a birdie at hole number 18, one of only six achieved by players throughout the day.

“I sense that I’ve become a more versatile player overall, and it’s all about aligning every aspect,” English stated regarding several missed cuts during major tournaments earlier in his career. “I need to improve my short game slightly and make my putting more reliable, but I’m very pleased with how solidly I’m striking the ball currently.”

He mentioned this boosts his confidence regarding team selections as the Ryder Cup in September quickly approaches.

“It’s a significant consideration for me,” stated English, who contributed to the U.S. team’s victory in 2021 at Whistling Straits, though he failed to qualify this time around in 2023. "Once you become part of one of those squads at Whistling, missing out subsequently is something you always aim to avoid."

This represents the peak of our sport. It’s always at the front of my thoughts. Yes, I’ve come to vie for victory in an important tournament, and regardless of how things turn out with respect to the Ryder Cup, I’m fully supportive of it. I realize this could make significant progress, yet I also understand that there’s still plenty of golf left to be played, along with continuous improvement and securing strong outcomes.

The post DeChambeau, English, and Riley tie for second place at the PGA Championship, trailing Scheffler by 5 shots. first appeared on Clubhouse .

Scheffler Claims PGA Championship, Secures Third Major Title

By Frank Pingue

In Charlotte, North Carolina, Scottie Scheffler successfully defended against a strong challenge from Spanish golfer Jon Rahm, winning the PGA Championship by five strokes at the Quail Hollow Club on Sunday. This triumph marks his third major championship win in his career.

The world's top-ranked player, Scottie Scheffler, began the day with a three-shot lead over Swedish golfer Alex Noren. Although he faced some challenges initially on the course, particularly from the tee, he managed to regain his composure during the latter part of the round. Finishing with an even-par score of 71 for the day put him at 11-under overall for the tournament.

Scheffler stated on the 18th green, having just received the Wanamaker Trophy, 'I anticipated this would be a tough day; wrapping up a significant championship is always difficult.'

I wasn't at my peak performance, but I elevated my game during the last nine holes.

Harris English, a contender for the Ryder Cup, started his day 11 strokes behind but managed to shoot a remarkable 65, which turned out to be the best score of the day. He ended up sharing second place far behind the leader, along with compatriots Bryson DeChambeau (who scored 70) and Davis Riley (with a 72).

Twice major champion Rahm (73) gave Scheffler a scare early on the back nine but came apart in stunning fashion with five dropped shots over his final three holes to slide back into a share of eighth place.

Rahm, who began the day five shots back of the lead and playing two groups ahead of Scheffler, took a while to get going in the final round but found his groove right in time to set up some back-nine drama at Quail Hollow Club.

When the Spaniard reached the top of the leaderboard alongside Scheffler after notching his third birdie during a span of four holes starting from the par-four 11th, Scheffler quickly took back sole possession of the lead with a nine-foot birdie putt at the following hole, which was numbered as the 10th.

Rahm almost responded immediately, but his well-timed 19-foot birdie try at the par-three 13th curved around the rim and stayed out before he missed birdie opportunities at the subsequent two holes. This was followed by his tough finish.

Scheffler picked up birdies at holes 14 and 15, which caused his lead to surge unexpectedly to five strokes ahead of J.T. Poston when Rahm had a double bogey at the par-three 17th hole following a tee shot that landed in the water.

"It's quite hard to accept at the moment," stated Rahm.

It's still quite a recent injury. However, this week has brought numerous positives and uplifting emotions to carry forward for the remainder of the year.

The U.S. Open winner DeChambeau, who came second at the previous year's PGA Championship, was hitting the ball well and creating opportunities but had difficulty with his putting.

"I felt confident about winning the tournament this week, as the golf course really played into my strengths. Unfortunately, I missed some crucial putts towards the end and encountered a bit of bad luck in this fantastic game of golf," said DeChambeau.

The match was intense and well-fought; I've learned a great deal from it. Now, all I can think about is igniting an even stronger flame within me.

Starting the day tied for second place alongside Scheffler, Noren remained competitive until his round fell apart due to three consecutive bogeys early on the latter half of the course.

(Reporting by Frank Pingue; Edited by Ken Ferris, Pritha Sarkar, and Stephen Coates)