Scottie Scheffler Seizes Control: Highlights from PGA Championship Round 3

For two exciting days, unexpected players captured attention at Quail Hollow Club. But on Saturday, top-ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler made a powerful move.

Scheffler finished the last five holes at 5-under-par, leaving his competitors behind. As he heads into the final round, he has a three-shot lead over Alex Noren and is just 18 holes away from his third major championship.

Here’s a look at the big highlights from Saturday’s round of the 107th PGA Championship.

After a bogey at the 13th hole, Scheffler was just 1-under for the day. However, everything changed at the 14th hole. He drilled a perfect drive on the 304-yard par 4, setting himself up for an eagle. The crowd erupted, grabbing the attention of fellow competitors, including Bryson DeChambeau, who momentarily paused his routine. Following that eagle, Scheffler added birdies on the 15th, 17th, and 18th holes, stretching his lead.

Historically, Scheffler is 2-for-2 in turning 54-hole leads into wins at majors. Only nine players have converted their first three leads into victories since the first Masters in 1934. Tiger Woods did this four times but lost three of those leads. Only recently in 2021 did Brooks Koepka achieve this feat as well.

Scheffler also led all players on Saturday in strokes gained off the tee and strokes gained approach. Despite a shaky second round, he remarkably hit 13 fairways this time around. His putting has also seen improvement, gaining over 1.4 strokes on the field, marking his best outing on the greens in four years.

Meanwhile, Alex Noren had an impressive comeback after a stint out with injury. This was just his second week back, and he’s positioned himself well in a major for the first time in 15 years. His remarkable touch around the greens has seen him up-and-down from bunkers nine times out of twelve attempts. Historically, only one player from Sweden—Henrik Stenson—has won a major championship.

Tied for third at 7-under-par are Americans J.T. Poston and Davis Riley. Poston has been steady throughout, making just one bogey in his last 33 holes. On the other hand, Riley had a strong finish on the back nine, showing potential to surprise.

Jon Rahm shot a 67, marking his best major performance since joining LIV Golf last year. He made significant strides, hitting close to the pin repeatedly and gaining over 2.5 strokes with his approach shots. No Spanish golfer has ever won the PGA Championship; could he break that trend?

Across the course, the competition tightened. The 17th hole proved difficult, with just over 33% of players hitting the green in regulation. Historically, this tournament has favored comebacks, with many first-time champions emerging from unexpected positions.

As Scheffler looks to maintain control on Sunday, it’s hard not to recall past tournaments where drastic shifts occurred in the final rounds. The stakes could not be higher as only four players remain within striking distance of the lead.

In the world of golf, the excitement is palpable as fans eagerly await the final showdown.

For more insights on the PGA Championship, here’s a detailed overview: PGA Championship.

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