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Golf Monthly
Golf Monthly
Sport
James Nursey

Xander Schauffele Birdies Last To Win His Maiden Major In PGA Championship Thriller

Scottie Scheffler PGA Xander Schauffele Valhalla PGA Championship Rory McIlroy Police Mark Hubbard Sahith Theegala Tony Finau
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Xander Schauffele is a Major champion after holding off charges from Bryson DeChambeau and Viktor Hovland to win the PGA Championship at Valhalla.

The American began with a record-equalling 62 in the first round and finished with a record -21 total to win by one shot from Bryson DeChambeau. His final round of -6 featured a display of superb ball-striking as Schauffele made just one bogey on the 10th and responded with successive birdies.

Then Schauffele, who was beaten last weekend by Rory McIlroy at the Wells Fargo Championship, had to hold his nerve when DeChambeau got in the clubhouse on -20 which put him level. But the world No.3 kept his composure to produce clutch up and downs on the last two holes to finish with a par and then birdie putt, which went in the edge of the hole.

Schauffele ,30, said: "I was emotional after the putt lipped in. It has been a while since I won. I tried all day to keep focused. I had some weird breaks coming into the house but it is all good now. I really didn't want to go into a Play-Off with Bryson. I spoke to my dad on the phone who was bawling and he started to make me cry. I am just happy to win this one for my team."

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERBOARD

  • -21 SCHAUFFELE
  • -20 DECHAMBEAU
  • -18 HOVLAND
  • -15 DETRY, MORIKAWA
  • -14 LOWRY,  ROSE
  • -13 HORSCHEL, SCHEFFLER, THOMAS, MacINTYRE

Hello and welcome to day four of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa share the lead heading into the final round of the 2024 PGA Championship, but there's a stacked leaderboard right behind them. Stay tuned to find out how everything unfolds. Thank you for joining us!

START OF ROUND TWO DELAYED

The PGA has said that round two will be delayed by at least one hour due to "a serious accident" near the course.

REPORTS OF SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER BEING ALLEGEDLY DETAINED BY POLICE

Day two of the PGA Championship has descended into chaos with reports world No.1 and favourite Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police outside the club for allegedly trying to drive past cops following a deadly car crash.

SCHEFFLER'S PARTICIPATION NOW IN DOUBT

Scheffler, who shot four under in the first round, was due to tee off locally at 8.48am (1.48pm BST) with Wyndham Clark and Brian Harman but all tee times have now been pushed back an hour while officials try to resolve the drama which has seen Scheffler allegedly detained and handcuffed for a breach of traffic regulations following an earlier fatality on the roads nearby. Scheffler was not involved in the original accident but is in potential trouble for failing to stop.

CONFIRMATION OF NEW STARTING TIMES

The PGA Championship organisers have released a statement confirming all round 2 starting times are delayed 1 hour and 20 minutes from the originally published time. All spectator gates will open at 8:00 AM (local time).

LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT ISSUE STATEMENT

The Louisville metro police department have explained the circumstances behind a fatal accident outside Valhalla GC , which led to a large police presence outside the club before Scheffler later tried to drive past them as he was allegedly detained and handcuffed. The statement said: "About 5.00 ET this morning, the LMPD responded to a call of a vehicle collision involving a pedestrian and a bus. Our preliminary investigation found that an adult male pedestrian was crossing Shelbyville Roadsouth to the north when he was struck by a shuttle bus that was travelling eastbound in the compulsory centre land dedicated for buses. As a result, the pedestrian received fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene. The LMPD traffic unit is investigating."

PROS FORCED TO WALK TO COURSE IN RAIN

The traffic chaos outside Valhalla following an earlier fatality, has forced players to get out of their courtesy cars and walk in, despite the wet weather. 

LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE RELEASE MUGSHOT OF SCHEFFLER 

Louisville Metro Police have confirmed they have booked world No.1 Scottie Scheffler over an earlier incident. We are waiting to learn if he will play today amid reports Scheffler has since been released. His caddy Ted Scott is at the course. According to ESPN, Scheffler has allegedly been charged with: "Second-degree assault of a police officer, Third-degree criminal mischief, Reckless driving and Disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic."

(Image credit: Louisville Metro Police)

SCHEFFLER DUE TO RETURN TO VALHALLA SHORTLY

After an astonishing morning , including being detained and charged by local police for driving around the flow of traffic to get into the golf club, world No.1 Scottie Scheffler is due at the course shortly ahead of his tee time in an hour's time. We are expecting him to tee it up but it has not been confirmed yet.

SCHEFFLER BACK ON THE PROPERTY

Scottie Scheffler has returned to Valhalla following his shock earlier arrest and is due off in around 36 minutes. He is walking to the range now and has just been fist-pumped by Rickie Fowler.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

SCHEFFLER WARMING UP ON THE RANGE

Scheffler, following his earlier arrest, was greeted by huge cheers back at Valhalla where he is now warming up on the range ahead of his imminent tee time. He has hit regular caddie Ted Scott by his side and his long-term coach. He is preparing to play but former champion John Daly has withdrawn due to a thumb injury.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

MORE DETAILS ON THE MAN KILLED OUTSIDE THE CLUB 

"This morning we were devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club. This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.” - PGA of America

PLAY UNDERWAY

A very sombre tone at the club, but we are underway. It's wet. The course measures one yard than it was than yesterday but it's going to be playing very long. Remember last year's Open at Hoylake?!

SCHEFFLER'S STATEMENT 

This is the statement released by Scheffler. He's about to get his second round underway after being released. 

"This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers. It was a very chaotic situation, understandably so considering the tragic accident that had occurred earlier, and there was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do. I never intended to disregard any of the instructions. I’m hopeful to put this to the side and focus on golf today. 

"Of course, all of us involved in the tournament express our deepest sympathies to the family of the man who passed away in the earlier accident this morning. It truly puts everything in perspective."

APPLAUSE FOR SCHEFFLER

Lots of cheers as the World No.1's name is announced on the 10th tee. Will Scheffler hit the fairway after what can only be described as a bizarre start to the morning? No. It's a bit of a wide but no major troubles. That weather looks nasty, as does the rough.

SCHEFFLER'S LAWYER ON THIS MORNING'S INCIDENT...

KICK-IN BIRD FOR SCHEFFLER ON 10

Well, that was nicely done. A wedge from about 100 yards. As much as dealing with what's gone on this morning, the World No.1 appears to be fine playing in the wet. A little bit of spin takes that wedge back to the side of the hole and he'll move to -5. I'm guessing it's a bit of a bonus starting on a par 5, ease yourself into the round and get accustomed to the grim weather conditions. 

SCOTTIE, SCOTTIE, SCOTTIE

The crowd is getting behind the World No.1. And Scheffler is looking quite relaxed, even more so after that delightful wedge that helps him move to -5. Kim, meanwhile, makes a nice save to remain at -6, just three shots back of leader Schauffele. 

11TH NO PICNIC 

212 yards to the pin and that's where we find Scheffler, who is now just four shots behind Schauffele. The drizzle continues to fall but it's not actually as grim as I made out a short while ago - lots of players in polo shirts. All three players (Clark, Harman and Scheffler) miss the green. Scheffler won't face too many difficulties where he is in the fringe. 

MEMORIES OF HOYLAKE

Brian Harman rolls a 6-footer in for par at the 11th after a 7/10 bunker shot, before hiding back under his umbrella. I can't help but think of Royal Liverpool last year, where the man in black and gray waterproofs holed putt after putt in the rain en route to winning the Claret Jug. 

Scheffler faces a putt of a similar range for his par, but it's a bit of a wide and he drops back to -4. One step forward and one back. 

TOM KIM TO GO -7...

From range and it hangs on the lip. Kim remains on -6. On 12, Scheffler finds the semi rough with his tee shot - should be fine there. 

HOLE-IN-ONE ALERT

Take a bow, Sebastian Soderberg. It's the first ace of the week, 169 yards on the 8th. 

COLLIN ON THE MOVE, SCOTTIE TO -5

Morikawa trickles one in to move to -6, three back. He wasn't that happy with his approach to the 13th, but he rolled that one in beautifully from about 12 feet - just grabs the edge of the cup. Kim, also -6, hits hybrid into the 14th and finds the heavy rough. He won't be the only one shaking his head at the 246-yard par-3 today. Birdie 13, bogey 14 and most players will be happy - just avoid those big numbers on the brute that is 14. 

Meanwhile, Rahm is fighting hard today. He finished his round nicely yesterday and has a very makeable putt coming up to get under par. Then back to the World No.1 who holes a one in 10 putt to get back to -5: birdie, bogey, birdie start. 

KIM BACK TO -5

After some good recovery work, Kim misses from about eight feet on the tough par-3 14th and slips back to -5. Rahm does indeed get into the red, converting from shortish range to move to -1. He's fighting hard. Scoring is Ok despite the wet - nice soft greens, just keep the ball on those fairways and out of the long stuff. 

LOWRY LOOKING GOOD

The man with the lovely soft hands, Shane Lowry, strokes one in to get to -4. His beard is on a par with Scottie Scheffler, very neat and tidy, just like their short games. Talking of the World No.1, he's in the middle of 13 with a gap wedge - and that only mean one thing: birdie time. He leaves himself a very makable 15-footer. 

HUBBARD TRIMS XANDER'S LEAD

The lead is two. Not a lot Schauffele can do about that - he's still sitting inside by a nice, warm fire. Hubbard gets to -7, while Scheffler misses an opportunity to get to within three at 13. He hits a very aggressive putt and still has some work to do. Kim gets his dropped shot back at 14 back straight away at the next. 

ARTISTRY FROM RAHM

The Spaniard in not in an ideal position on the par-3 14th. He opens the blade and flies the ball all the way to the hole from heavy greenside rough. He should escape with a par. Does so. Good work, picks up half a shot there. 21 players through 14 so far, 2/21 have found the green. Scheffler to make it 3/22... nope. Comes up short. It's the perfect leave, though, and he might even fancy holing it from there. 

FURTHER DOWN THE LEADERBOARD

We've not seen much of Sweden's Alex Noren, but he's alongside Scheffler at -5. He's -1 today and playing the 9th. Harris English also at -5. 

GREAT TOUCH

Scheffler has all the shots. Not a bad strategy on the brutal 246-yard par-3 14th. Leave it short just in front of the green, lag a 50-foot putt to tap-in distance. 

HELLO HUBBARD

Quietly going about his business is Mark Hubbard. -8, just one shot back. His latest birdie comes on the monster 12th. It's hard work updating this leaderboard. Tom Kim narrowly misses a chance to get to -7. 

RAHM MAKING PROGRESS

Jon Rahm is fighting back well. He'll be liking these conditions and he's looking more and more like himself with each putt that drops. Needed to get on a roll and he's certainly on one. Now -2 after a birdie on 15 - that's two birdies in three holes for the Spaniard. 

WHO WILL JOIN XANDER AT -9?

They're circling. Hubbard is just one back but there is a big group at -6. I'm not sure Xander will have the lead by the time he tees off - this is bubbling nicely. Back out there, then, and we find Cam Young right at 15 on some rocks. He's just above ground and weighing up his options. I want to see him hit this. However, I do worry about his wrists and he might want to ask for a pair of goggles to guard against stray shards of rock. 

Here we go. No problem, perfect ball first contact and he's back on the fairway. Scheffler from distance at the 15th, safe par. The rain is starting to come down a bit more heavily now. Still warm enough for polo shirts but if this was knockabout with your pals, you'd go back to the clubhouse for a nice cup of coffee. 

WHO'S HUBBARD?

I hear you say. I know all about him, of course, being a golf journalist and all that. He's 34 years old, was born in Denver and attended San Jose State University. He hasn't won on the PGA Tour and sits at number 81in the OWGR. No wins in 214 events. Could the PGA Championship be his first? 

JD WITHDRAWS

Former champ John Daly is a WD - injured thumb. He posted 11 over in the first round and we'll be seeing no more of the two-time Major winner, sadly. 

BIRDIE CHANCE FOR SCHEFFLER

The World No.1 plays an absolute bullet on the 509-yard par-4 16th, a laser of an approach that rolls out just behind the flag to about 12 feet. A lot of players are hitting woods into the green, but Scottie picks that one off with a long iron with the minimum of fuss and off it flies through the drizzle - what a sound. 

Harman shows how it's meant to be done on the green - end over end it rolls for a birdie. Looked like the Open champ hit a hybrid in. It was a beauty, as was the putt. Wyndham Clark makes an impressive up-and-down. Then Scheffler (it's more like 10 feet) steps up... and burns the edge. Just a par. 

TROUBLE FOR HUBBARD

Hubbard is in a spot of bother hacking out of thick hay. Talking of struggles, Phil Mickelson is +3 but holes a monster putt for a big roar. I'm not sure we'll be seeing the former champ this weekend, but nice to see that little tip of the cap from Lefty.

Morikawa reaches -7 with a birdie on the par-5 18th. A nice positive stroke. He's obviously had a recent taste of being back in Major contention with a good week at the Masters. Elsewhere, Aaron Rai is going along nicely. The Englishman nearly gets another one to drop, stays -4. 

Harris English plays a sublime pitch to set up a birdie opportunity in the 4th. He'll move to -7 if he makes that. Alex Noren is on that number after a birdie on 12. The phrase 'bunching up' comes to mind. More on Hubbard's struggles shortly... 

RAHM LOSES GROUND

It's been an up and down day for Rahm so far today. He was at -2 but threw in a double at the 17th. Hubbard makes par on 15 after looking nailed on to drop a shot. English makes his birdie to get to -7. 

MIN WOO LEE LOVING LIFE

Just the three chip-ins from Min Woo Lee today. The Aussie currently sits at -2. 

WEATHER UPDATE

Just drizzle. No wind. Not exactly cold, either. Scheffler's not bothered. Plays a beauty of a chip/pitch from the thick greenside rough and I'm going to give him that short birdie putt. It's looking like -6 for Scheffler who continues to climb the leaderboard. 

HARMAN TO -3, SCHEFFLER TO -6

Brian Harman holes one of those mid distance putts - he's really good at those. I said it earlier, it's like watching a repeat of his Open performance. This is a long course and he's not the longest, but tell him that and throw in some bad weather and he'll show you what he can do. Scheffler also birdies 18. He's closing in is the World No.1. 

SCHEFFLER SPLITS THE FAIRWAY

Scottie is now onto his 'back nine' which starts on the 1st. No real point in showing his drives, may as well join him for his approach shots from the center on the green. I mentioned how he's Tiger-like yesterday, but Woods in his pomp kept us guessing a bit with some wild drives. The current World No.1 would rather not make the game harder than it needs to be - just fairways and greens. Repeat.   

Sunset

Sunset is officially at 8.49pm, so just over seven and half hours away. The last group out is due to tee off 4 hours and 37 minutes before that. Doesn’t look like we will be finishing the second round today, especially as the day is overcast which will hasten the evening gloom. But I will be here until the last ball is hit, whenever that may be.

When are the remainder of the first-day leaders out?

Xander Schauffele tees off in about an hour and a half. Rory McIlroy is out 22 minutes after him, and Sahith Theegala and Tony Finau take to the course just over half an hour after Rory.

Hubbard soon to go into joint lead?

He is one shot off the lead and he is playing the 18th hole, which has yielded the most birdies this tournament.

Hubbard into co-lead

He achieves that birdie on the par-5 18th hole. His drive is 307 yards and into the rough. He then sends the ball 125 yards further forwards and onto the fairway leaving him with a 111-yard approach shot. He hits a good 'un and then drains the 7ft putt that he has left himself. 

He has played his first nine holes today with three birdies and six pars. He now goes to the 1st tee to play his second nine.

Collin Morikawa makes it a three-way tie for lead

He does so courtesy of a 17ft birdie putt. He is four under today thru 14.

The first PGA Championship

The PGA Championship started in 1916. On January 17 that year Philadelphia businessman Rodman Wanamaker hosted a lunch at the Taplow Club in New York City where, among the guests, were Walter Hagen and Francis Ouimet. At this lunch Wanamaker outlined his vision for an organisation which would promote interest in professional golf and advance the welfare professional golfers. Thus the PGA of America was formed.

The PGA Championship was founded by the PGA of America, with Wanamaker paying the expenses of the competitors and providing the trophy and the prize money. The first PGA Championship was held at Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, New York and won by Englishmen Jim Barnes.

COLLIN MORIKAWA TAKES solo lead

It is with his third consecutive birdie and his second successive birdie putt from the edge of the green.

PGA of America statement

"“Our primary concern today remains with the family of John Mills, who lost his life in a tragic accident early this morning while reporting to work. As it relates to the incident involving Scottie Scheffler, we are fully cooperating as local authorities review what took place. While the legal process plays out, questions should be directed to Scheffler’s attorney or local authorities.”

Lovely graphic recently popped up on screen

Scottie Scheffler has spent 87 weeks so far as World No. 1. The earliest he could overtake Tiger Woods' total of number weeks as World No. 1 is....

...October 21, 2035. 

Tiger has spent 683 weeks as top dog. He is currently on the range. He tees off in about half an hour.

The leader in the clubhouse

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Is now Harris English. He went round in 67 today and has risen 13 places on the leaderboard to T5 during the course of it. His round contained six birdies and two bogeys, and follows on from his 68 yesterday.

Date Set For Scottie Scheffler Court Hearing After Arrest

An arraignment hearing has been set for Tuesday 21 May at 9am following the incident that led to Scheffler's arrest outside Valhalla. 

Five birdies in a row for Morikawa

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The last one was via a 5ft putt on the 8th hole. He has one more hole to play in his second round. He has not dropped a shot today and is now two shots clear of Hubbard.

We have a new clubhouse leader

(Image credit: Getty Images)

It is Thomas Detry, who makes eagle on the 18th after hitting his 225-yard shot into the green to within about eight-and-half feet of the hole. He is round in 67 after his opening round of 66. His clubhouse lead will be short-lived as Morikawa is soon to finish.

Morikawa drops a shot on an unlikely hole

(Image credit: Getty Images)

It is on the 9th hole, which he played last. Surprising place to drop his only shot of the round as this hole has seen the least bogeys of any. But he is round in 65, and he is the clubhouse leader two shots under Detry. He is also the leader on and off the course. Xander Schauffele is now out on the course and has made par on his first two holes.

Horrendous start for Tiger

After a par on the 1st hole, he gets a triple bogey on the par-4 2nd. His travails on the hole included chipping from one greenside bunker across the green into another bunker. He has now moved from +1 to +4 for the tournament. Unlikely that he will make it through to the weekend.

Scheffler finishes with a 66

(Image credit: Getty Images)

He is two shots off leader Morikawa. It has been an eventful day one way and another for the World No, 1. It started with him being arrested on the way to the golf course and taken away in handcuffs and made to change into an orange jumpsuit – why? – for his mug shot.

It has been a difficult day for him, but not nearly as difficult as that for the family and friends of the poor soul who lost his life earlier when knocked down by a bus when on his way to work at the tournament.

Worth underlining that Scheffler was not involved in that at all. He was arrested for failing to follow, it seems, police traffic instructions and what may have happened the aftermath of that. 

Scheffler had earlier issued a statement: “This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers. It was a very chaotic situation, understandably so considering the tragic accident that had occurred earlier, and there was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do. I never intended to disregard any of the instructions. I’m hopeful to put this to the side and focus on golf today. Of course, all of us involved in the tournament express our deepest sympathies to the family of the man who passed away in the earlier accident this morning. It truly puts everything in perspective.”

Scheffler has been doing a press conference

He spoke well, with compassion for the bereaved and of his respect for the police and praised those police who dealt with him. He said he could not say much about the incident, but it was just a big misunderstanding. He detailed his fear and confusion. He also said he did his warm-up routine whilst in the prison cell. Said there was never any question of him not playing so long as he could get back to the course in time, something he was unsure would happen.

There will be more about his press conference, and direct quotes from it, on this site later.

Hubbard is in the house

(Image credit: Getty Images)

He finishes with a 68. It threatened to slip away from him with back-to-back bogeys coming down his finishing stretch, but he pulled it back together. He is tied third on nine under par.

Steady start for Schauffele to round two

He has the completed a third of the round with five pars and a birdie. His birdie came at the first par 3. 

Wells still doing well

Yesterday Jeremy Wells became the second club pro in the past 20 years to break 70 in the first round of the PGA Championship. The other was Bob Sowards, who opened with a 69 at Atlanta Athletic Club in 2011 and finished the first round T13 before he missed the cut by one shot after carding a 76 in the second round.

Wells was T31 after the first round. He has started his second round birdie-birdie. He is now T19.

What score should the winner be looking for after 36 holes?

Well, 20 of the last 21 Majors have been won by someone who was within three shots of the lead after 36 holes. 

Will Rahm make the cut?

Jon Rahm has made the cut in his last 18 Major appearances but his 72 today added to his opening 70 means he is level par for the tournament. The cut line is currently -1. The top 70 and ties go through to the weekend. T56 is on -1; T74 on even par.

This is his second Major appearance since joining LIV. He finished T45 at the Masters.

How are the LIV Golfers faring?

This is how those who qualified are doing:Brooks Koepka – T12
Bryson DeChambeau - T12
Cameron Smith - T32
Martin Kaymer - T42
Joaquin Niemann – T54
Jon Rahm - T74
Tyrrell Hatton - T74
Dustin Johnson - T98
Andy Ogletree - T118
Phil Mickelson - T118

This is how those who received a special invitation are faring:
Lucas Herbert - T12
Patrick Reed - T32
Dean Burmester - T40
Talor Gooch - T56
Adrian Meronk - T88
David Puig - T108

More from Scottie Scheffler's post-round press conference

My colleague Mike Hall has written about Scottie Scheffler's post-round press conference. 

Schauffele takes solo lead

He drains a birdie putt of a fairly hefty distance on the par-4 9th hole and goes to -12. It is his third birdie of the round following ones on the par-3 3rd and par-5 7th.

Collin Morikawa has been speaking to the media

My colleague Matt Cradock has reported on Collin Morikawa's post-round press conference 

Scot free

(Image credit: Getty Images)

This is the 106th PGA Championship. No Scotsman has ever won the PGA Championship. The first two PGA Championships – these were the days when it was a matchplay tournament – had Scots in the final. But both times they lost to Englishman Jim Barnes; Jock Hutchison in 1916 and Fred McLeod in 1919 being the vanquished Scots. Jim Barnes is the only Englishman to have won the PGA Championship.

The Masters has only had one Scottish winner, and two English ones. But nine different Englishmen and eight Scots have won the US Open, and the only nationality to have done better in this event is the US, with 61 winners. Twenty-two Scots and 13 Englishmen have won the Open, placing these nationalities second and third on that list behind America, with 31 different winners.

If Scotland are to break their duck at this PGA Championship it will have to be Robert MacIntyre who does it as he is the only Scot in the 156-man field. He is T9 at present, and has just finished his first nine holes, which is the back nine.

There are eight Englishmen competing: Luke Donald, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Aaron Rai, Justin Rose, Jordan Smith and Matt Wallace.

Harris English is American. And why not: Zane Scotland is English.

Club pros at the weekend

In five of the last seven editions of the PGA Championship, a club pro has made the cut. Last year Michael Block did so, and gained headlines when he made a hole in one when playing with Rory McIlroy in the final round. Block ended up finishing tied 15th and won $288,333 in prize money for so doing. This also got Block an invitation for this year. He has six holes to go and is T141.

Jeremy Wells has slithered down to +1 after two bogeys and a double bogey in his most recent three holes. Wells has played five holes today and is yet to make a par, as he started with two birdies.

Where will the cut fall?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The most likely number is at a score of 141, which is one under par. Currently there are 75 golfers on one under-par or better and it is the top 70 and ties who go through to the third round.

Not really happening for Rory 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

He has played 11 holes today with two birdies and a bogey and has slipped down nine places and is six shots off the lead. It is not calamitous, but neither does it feel like he is putting together a 36-hole springboard from which to win his first Major for a decade.

Theegala has gone a wandering

He has played a ball off a cart path onto a tree and into a cafe. Koepka has it his ball out of bounds. Now this is golf I can relate to.

Hovland hoving into view

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The picture shows Viktor Hovland  throwing his ball to fans after holing out for eagle on the par-4 4th hole. He is putting together a charge up the leaderboard. He made bogey on the 5th, but has made four birdies in the following six holes and now lies T10.

Matchless

The PGA Championship is the only Major which has been run as a matchplay tournament. From its inception in 1916 up until 1957 it was thus. But this made the tournament a long one and the 1957 lost money. Television companies, too, prefer strokeplay tournaments as there is more action going on, more big names involved. So from 1958 the PGA Championship has been contested as 72-hole strokeplay event, exactly the same as the other Majors.

Brooks Koepka shows bouncebackability 

Not all the golfers were expecting, or keen, to play today

The fatality outside the entrance gates, coupled with Scottie Scheffler being in jail, caused many golfers to discuss if they would, or should, be playing today, as Matt Cradock reports.

That eagle by Viktor Hovland on the 4th hole

Record cut line to be set?

We should have a record low cut line in terms of relation to par. It’s projected at -1 (and it is hard to see now how it will be anything other than that figure). The lowest in PGA Championship history is par, at Bellerive Country Club in 2018. In 2001 and 2020 the cut line was +1.

Schauffele could have pulled away, but hasn’t

He played his first 10 holes today in four under. His last eight holes he has played in one over – a bogey on 11 and then seven pars. His putting held him back. But he has still tied the PGA Championship record  in relation to par after 36 holes.

Tiger's PGA Championship is over

(Image credit: Getty Images)

He finishes with his third birdie of the round, a round of 77 though, marred deeply by two triple bogeys in his first four holes. He ends his tournament on seven over par. He is T138.

One shot too many over the 36 holes

With the cut poised to slice through at -1, those golfers who have finished their 36 holes on even par will miss out by a shot. They include Jon Rahm, Ludvig Aberg and Matt Fiztpatrick.

Dustin Johnson squeaks in

He makes the cut line at -1 by carding four birdies in this last seven holes.

Woods' unwelcome personal record

Today was the first time he has carded two triple bogeys in the same round on tour.

Score's the same; lead isn't

Xander Schauffele's -12 has tied the best score to par after 36 holes in a PGA Championship. It tied with Brooks Koepka's tally in 2019. Koepka lead by seven shots; Schauffele leads by one.

A jolly handy ace

Sebastian Soderberg made a hole in one on the 8th. Or to put it another way, he played the hole in two under par. He has finished the first two rounds on -2, so makes the cut by a couple of shots.

The lights are on in the clubhouse

It's getting darker and darker. There cannot be much more useable daylight left today. Some players are going to have to finish their rounds tomorrow. It was always going to be thus after the one-hour-and-twenty-minute delay starting today's rounds due to the fatal accident outside the club.

Macintyre drops shots on each of his last two holes

He drops out of the top 10 as a result.

Play has been suspended

It has got just too dark.  The second round will be resumed tomorrow. 

Welcome to our day three coverage

Welcome to our live blogging of the third day’s play from Valhalla. As a result of the delays to the start of today, which was due to fog, and yesterday, the third round will be played in three-balls with a two-tee start. But first they have to finish the second round, which they are doing now.

Round two tailenders

Must have been an odd feeling for those golfers who knew they were no longer able to make the cut, but who had to return to play two or three holes to finish off round two and then had to hang around to complete them due to the fog delaying the restart. Nerve wracking, too, for some others, one would imagine, especially for Zac Blair and Ben Polland, who were both on the cut line overnight but with the 8th and 9th holes still to play today.

Polland does not make the cut

He had a par putt on the final hole which he had to make and he did not. One of the club pros, Polland has played in three previous PGA Championships (in 2015, 2016 and 2021) when he also did not make the cut. Oh, poor chap – one shot and his plans for the rest of today have now changed.

Club pros who have made the cut

Two have qualified for the third and fourth rounds. Braden Shattuck knew last night that he had qualified, as he had finished his second round and was on -1. He played in last year's PGA Championship where he missed the cut.

Jeremy Wells, who also played last year at Oak Hill and missed the cut, has come through after finishing his second round this morning. But 33-year-old Ben Polland who won the 2024 PGA Professional Championship, did not when he dropped a shot on his final hole today.

ADRIAN OTAEGUI does the hokey cokey

The Spaniard was not within the cut when he resumed his second round. Then a birdie on the 15th means he was. He made par on 16 but has now bogeyed 17, so he is back to level par for the tournament. He needs a birdie on 18 to go through. The good news from his point of view is that the 18th hole has played the easiest of all the holes this tournament.

OTAEGUI misses cut

His third shot on the par-5 18th went beyond the flag but spins back off the green. A chip and tap-in putt later and he walks off with par on this hole and for his tournament overall. It is the fifth cut he has missed in his last six Majors. 

The second round has been completed

Seventy-eight golfers have got through to, er, the weekend. Could be some slow play and hold ups this afternoon. That is 26 groups of three-balls to fit onto an 18-hole course at the same time in the third round. They are going to be bunched up.

Happiest man who has played today?

If it is not those who were on or around the cut line who have gone on to make the cut, then it is Dean Burmester, who eagled the 18th hole and went to T8 and minus 8.

How many LIV Golfers will have made it through to round four?

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Well the headline news yesterday was that Jon Rahm had not. He finished on level par and so misses the cut by a stroke. He has been consistently quite good in the LIV Golf League this season – he hasn’t won anything, but his finishes have all been between third and 10th position. But his Major record since joining LIV is now T45 and a missed cut.

Hey, it can happen to anyone, and US Open Champions Wyndham Clark has not joined LIV and he has missed both the cuts in the Majors this season. But the money men of the LIV Golf tour would have been hoping for a better showing from their most expensive acquisition.

Another they paid big bucks to court was Phil Mickelson. He would have had the outright record of most cuts made in the PGA Championship had he made the cut. But he missed it by five shots, after rounds of 74 and 72.

Talor Gooch, he of the notorious comment of how the winner of this year’s Masters would have to have an asterisk beside his name as... well this was taken to mean that basically it was because the winner of the previous season’s LIV Golf League was not invited who, quite coincidentally was Talor Gooch. Well Gooch has sneaked into the weekend, on the cut line.

He did so in an 11-way tie for 68th place. Can he improve on his Major record in which his best finish in 11 Majors is never making the top 10? Indeed he has only made the top 30 twice, so can he make this thrice?

Eleven LIV Golfers qualified for the PGA Championship and eight of them have made the cut: Brooks Koepka (-9) Bryson DeChambeau (-9), Cameron Smith (-4) Martin Kaymer (-2), Tyrrell Hatton (-2), Joaquin Niemann (-1) and Dustin Johnson (-1). The three who did not are Jon Rahm (par), Phil Mickelson (+4) and Andy Ogletree (+6).

Four of the six LIV golfers who accepted a special invitation are also here for the weekend: Dean Burmester (-8), Lucas Herbert (-6), Patrick Reed (-3) and Talor Gooch (-1). Adrian Meronk (+1) and David Puig (+3) are the two who do not have to re-adjust to playing a four-round tournament this week.

Shameless plug

While you are waiting for the third round to start in a few minutes, why not order a copy of the comic golf novel Summer at Tangents which was published last week to some lovely press reviews here in the UK. It is published by Brindle Books and, in case you haven’t already guessed, the author is... well, me. But nevertheless I do, in a totally dispassionate and objective way you understand, thoroughly recommend that you buy a copy. Or, ideally, several copies – buy it for your friends, or your enemies, or even just those people you are utterly indifferent towards.

I have yet to receive a copy myself – one is due to be delivered in the next hour or so. Part of the reason for this delay in receiving any copies is that I have been away on a press trip for Golf Monthly to Bridgend for an On Tour feature. Mag wanted a picture of me at a 19th hole, to fit the format of these piece. Royal Porthcawl, with its terrific backdrop of beach, sea, crashing waves and starter’s hut was the obvious venue. Had to ask one of the other journalists on the trip to take the picture...

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Round three tee times and groups

11:28 a.m. — Cameron Smith, Max Homa, Jordan Spieth
11:33 a.m. — Kurt Kitayama, Will Zalatoris, Tom Hoge (off 10th tee)
11:39 a.m. — Maverick McNealy, Byeong Hun An, Alexander Bjork
11:44 a.m. — Brice Garnett, Jesper Svensson, Patrick Reed (off 10th tee)
11:50 a.m. — Min Woo Lee, Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel
11:55 a.m. — Luke Donald, Lucas Glover, Russell Henley (off 10th tee)
12:01 p.m. — Justin Rose, Jason Day, Shane Lowry
12:06 p.m. — Adam Svensson, Ryo Hisatsune, Zac Blair (off 10th tee)
12:12 p.m. — Alejandro Tosti, Doug Ghim, Rory McIlroy
12:17 p.m. — Sebastian Soderberg, Andrew Putnam, Gary Woodland (off 10th tee)
12:23 p.m. — Lee Hodges, Alex Noren, Tom Kim
12:28 p.m. — Rasmus Hojgaard, Cameron Young, Brian Harman (off 10th tee)
12:34 p.m. — Lucas Herbert, Justin Thomas, Keegan Bradley
12:39 p.m. — Thorbjorn Olesen, Brendon Todd, Ben Kohles (off 10th tee)
12:45 p.m. — Brooks Koepka, Taylor Moore, Aaron Rai
12:50 p.m. — Grayson Murray, Ryan Fox, Adam Hadwin (off 10th tee)
12:56 p.m. — Matt Wallace, Hideki Matsuyama, Robert MacIntyre
1:01 p.m. — Martin Kaymer, Tyrrell Hatton, Jeremy Wells (off 10th tee)
1:07 p.m. — Tony Finau, Dean Burmester, Harris English
1:12 p.m. — Erik van Rooyen, Jordan Smith, Talor Gooch (off 10th tee)
1:18 p.m. — Bryson DeChambeau, Viktor Hovland, Austin Eckroat
1:23 p.m. — Nicolai Hojgaard, Joaquin Niemann, Rickie Fowler (off 10th tee)
1:29 p.m. — Scottie Scheffler, Thomas Detry, Mark Hubbard
1:34 p.m. — Braden Shattuck, S.H. Kim, Stephan Jaeger (off 10th tee)
1:40 p.m. — Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala
1:45 p.m. — Dustin Johnson, Corey Conners, Tommy Fleetwood (off 10th tee)

The course that Jack built

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It is perhaps appropriate that the PGA Championship is being held over a course designed by Jack Nicklaus, who shares the record for the most PGA Championship wins, with five.

Nicklaus was presented with a 486-acre plot of land 20 miles east of downtown Louisville. He described the landscape at the time as a “golf designer’s dream because there is a variety of terrain, vegetation and water to work with. Everything necessary for an excellent golf course is here: room for wide, tree-lined fairways and spectacular golf holes.”

He drew up 40 potential routings for the course. When one was settled upon, construction began in Spring 1984 and the course was opened for play in June 1986. In its relatively short life it has attracted some big tournaments. This is the fourth time it has hosted the PGA Championship, the first time being in 1986. It has also hosted the Senior PGA Championship twice, and the Ryder Cup of 2008.

Quick question: do you know who Nicklaus shares the record number of PGA Championship titles with? Answer in about eight minutes.

Quiz answer

Walter Hagen also has five PGA Championship wins. I bet many of you said Tiger Woods, didn’t you? He only has four. Er ‘only’.

How the third round tee times were worked out

Traditionally players go out in leaderboard order for rounds three and four, and in pairs. But because of the delays, the third round is being played with a two-tee start and in three-man groups. But leaderboard order is stil being followed. 

The top half of the leaderboard are playing off the 1st tee, the bottom half off the 10th. The first out on both the 1st and 10th tees were those in the middle of the leaderboard. Then on the first tee the groups work through the second-round leaderboard order to the leader; on the 10th tee the groups work through the leaderboard towards those who were in last position. 

Rahm has spoken of his 'surprise' at missing cut

He has said he was  “Surprised because of how I felt like I was hitting it in Australia and Singapore and in the week off before coming here, especially off the tee, hitting great drives – and that's what's been my downfall. I just couldn't find a fairway off the tee. You can make birdies off the fairway, but off the rough, it's a tough golf course to score on and that's kind of what happened to me." 

Matt Cradock has more on what Jon Rahm said about his early exit from Valhalla.

Rory has teed off

He needs a really low round today if he is going to challenge for the title. He starts the round seven shots off the lead and in T23and with a booming drive down the centre of the fairway.

It has just arrived!

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Scottie Scheffler has also arrived

He was looking relaxed and he was smiling as he was having a joke with Tommy Fleetwood.

Rory makes bogey on the 1st hole

This is not going to be the tournament that breaks his decade-long Major drought is it? He came into it well with his five-shot win last week at Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club in in the Wells Fargo Championship. But it just hasn't happened for him in Louisville. He looks to the heavens as his par putt slides past.

The runner up at Quail Hollow has been doing okay though - Xander Schauffele.

Scheffler set to turn to a man of God

There was doubt as to whether Scottie Scheffler would play all of the first Major of the season, the Masters, as his wife Meredith was pregnant with their first child and Scheffler had said if his wife went into labour, he would leave the tournament to be with her. Meredith has now given birth, to their son Bennett.

There was doubt as to whether Scheffler would play all the second Major as he was banged up in a prison cell 45 minutes from the course with time ticking down to his second-round tee time. But he will be playing all four rounds of the year's second Major.

However Scheffler’s caddie of the past few years, Ted Scott, will not be with him for all four rounds. He will miss today's round as it is the day of his daughter’s graduation.

“Something we talked about from the beginning of our relationship was family always comes first, and it's the same thing for me as it is for my caddie,” explained Scheffler. “It was a pretty easy decision.”

“He told me at the beginning of this year that that was the date that it was, so I got a backup caddie lined up. One of my buddies is going to carry the bag on Saturday, and then Ted will be back for Sunday's round.”

Scheffler is a committed Christian and the buddy who will carry his bag today is due to be Brad Payne, the PGA Tour chaplain and a former collegiate golfer.

Early risers and fallers 

With those in the middle of the leaderboard being the first ones out on the course in round three, it offers more scope for these players to either climb up or plummet down the standings. The biggest riser so far is Justin Rose who has climbed 11 spots to T12 after birdies on the 2nd and 3rd holes. Jason Day has started bogey-bogey and has fallen 22 places to T51.

FANS PREPARING FOR SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER'S TEE TIME 

Scottie Scheffler's arrest yesterday was a remarkable turn of events but fans are making light of the world No.1's detainment. Perhaps Scheffler will be able to smile about it one day too. 

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ROSE FOUR UNDER THROUGH FIVE HOLES TO CLIMB TO -9

What a start from Justin Rose who has birdied four of the opening five holes. Sensational stuff from Rose, 43,  whose 2013 US Open win at Merion remains his sole Major. 

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EAGLE FOR JORDAN SPIETH TO GET TO -5

He couldn't could he?! Jordan Spieth just needs this Major to complete a Grand Slam and he has given his fading prospects a big boost on the par 5 seventh today with a stunning eagle to get to -5. And he has followed it up with a birdie at the next to get to -6.

PUNDITS EXPECTING A BIRDIE FEST TODAY

Today's course measures 7,500 yards but it is playing soft after rain and a lot of birdies are predicted today. It has helped Bryson DeChambeau and Viktor Hovland spin their approaches in close at the first with the American making his.

BIRDIE LOOK FOR SCHEFFLER AT THE FIRST

He made his tee time with no drama today and Scheffler looks to mean business once again as he fires his approach in close at the first after drilling a drive down the fairway. He has to settle for a par in the end.

FINAL GROUP UNDERWAY 

Xander Schauffele,  Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala are underway in the final group but only one of them - Theegala - has hit the first green in regulation. Schauffele scrambles a par after mis-hitting his chip. 

IS RORY McILROY'S THIRD ROUND ABOUT TO CATCH ALIGHT

McIlroy showed what he could do last weekend at the Wells Fargo , where he stormed to victory. He needs to make a move today. He is -1 for the day and -6 in total after a birdie at the sixth.

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SCHEFFLER IS IN BIG TROUBLE ON THE SECOND

After finding the sand off the tee on the second, Scheffler took an aggressive line and left his approach in thick rough to the left of the par 4 green where he took two attempts to find the putting surface where he eventually finishes with a double bogey to drop to -7.

SCHEFFLER WITH A NEW MAN ON THE BAG THIS WEEKEND

Scottie Scheffler could be forgiven for feeling slightly out of sorts today as he is +3 for 3 holes today. Firstly all the adrenaline of his arrest will have subsided after his impressive 66 yesterday and he also has a new bag man today with Brad Payne as his regular caddie Ted Scott is at a family college graduation. 

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BACK TO BACK BIRDIES FOR McILROY

Rory got off to a slow start with a bogey on the first but is now up to -7 and -2 for the day after successive birdies on the seventh and eighth.

MORE TROUBLE FOR SCHEFFLER AT THE FOURTH

Scheffler has gone par, double bogey, bogey and is now taking a penalty drop on the fourth after pulling his approach into the hazard. He has taken a drop but has duffed his chip. He has another putt for a bogey, which he makes, but he is in freefall. It won't have been helped by not having his regular caddie Ted Scott , who is at a family graduation.

SCHEFFLER AND McILROY GOING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS

Scheffler is +4 today after 4 holes and has slipped back to -5 but Rory is up to -8 after a third successive birdie. He is -3 for nine holes. Meanwhile, leader Xander Schauffele is level par and calmly plotting his way around.

LOWRY ON FIRE WITH -6 AFTER NINE HOLES 

What a front nine from Shane Lowry who has made six birdies to go out in 29 and get to -10 in total. 

HOTTING UP AT THE TOP OF THE LEADERBOARD

Schauffele has opened with four straight pars but he may have noticed there are now 23 players within five shots of him. Including world No.1 Scheffler who has steadied the ship with a birdie at the fifth to get to +3 for the day and -6 in total. While Rory McIlroy is -9 in total and -4 for the day after fourth successive birdie. 

MORIKAWA MOVES LEVEL AT TOP WITH SCHAUFFELE 

While leader Schauffele continues to reel off the pars, Collin Morikawa has picked up birdies on the third and fifth to get to -1 and -12 in total , level with his American compatriot after Morikawa started badly with a bogey on the second.

McILROY IMPRESSING TODAY 

McIlroy stormed to victory last weekend with a lot of birdies and huge momentum and there are echoes of that performance today with the Northern Irishman -4 for 11 holes and -9 in total. He was unlucky not to get another birdie on the par 3 11th after putting his tee shot close. 

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LOWRY CONTINUES HIS ROLL AND IS ONE OFF LEAD

That win as a pairing for Lowry and McIlroy at the Zurich Classic appears to have done wonders not just for McIlroy but Lowry too. Lowry is -7 for the day after 13 holes after just draining a lengthy downhill putt on the 13th. He is now -11 in total.

SCHEFFLER +2 FOR THE DAY BUT IS STARTING TO SETTLE DOWN

Scheffler was +4 for four holes today after a disastrous start to slip down the leaderboard but is starting to repair the damage. Birdies on the fifth and seventh have got him back to +2 and -7 in total. If Morikawa and Schauffele continue to tread water, he could still have a chance tomorrow. 

WHAT A ROUND THIS IS FROM LOWRY

Shane Lowry has got to -12 , just one shot off the lead after getting to -8 for 14 holes with successive birdies with monster putts. He has now holed a combined total of 152 foot of putts today. Playing partner Justin Rose has also provided plenty of fireworks with a -6 round with two holes left.

SCHEFFLER STILL STRUGGLING IN THE THIRD ROUND AT TURN

Perhaps it was inevitable that after the drama of yesterday and his astonishing arrest, that the ordeal would eventually catch up with Scheffler. That is the way it is looking in the third round with the world No.1 +3 for the round at the turn and -6 in total. 

SPIETH FINISHES WITH THREE BIRDIES IN HIS LAST FOUR HOLES

Jordan Spieth has just putted out for a -4 round to get to -8 in total. As long as the leaders continue to tread water at the top , he could still have a shot at the Grand Slam tomorrow as this is the only Major to elude him. 

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LOWRY BIRDIES THE 17TH TO HAVE A SHOT AT A 61

Lowry's ninth birdie of the round at the 17th has left him level at the top with Xander Schauffele , who remains -1 at the turn, and the Irishman needs a birdie at the par 5 last for a record 61. 

LOWRY FORCED TO CHOP HIS SECOND OUT OF ROUGH AT LAST

Lowry could still make a birdie at the par 5 last but he will have to play his third from out of the rough. Lowry has now wedged in to leave about an eight-foot putt for a 61 and the lowest round in Major history. But he misses left and it will be a record-equalling 62  , which has happened five times now including this week by Xander Schauffele.

WHAT ENTERTAINMENT LOWRY AND ROSE HAVE GIVEN FANS

Lowry and Rose were in the same group today and went out and shot -9 and -7 respectively in a stunning display which puts them both in the frame for the title tomorrow.  

McILROY FINISHES WITH A BIRDIE TO GET TO -8

McIlroy's final round threatened to catch alight around the turn with four successive birdies but his putter ultimately cold and his birdie at the 18th was his only one in the final eight holes. He finished -3 for the round and he will now be at least five shots back of the leaders and probably more tomorrow.

LOWRY REFLECTS ON HIS RECORD EQUALLING 62 PLAYING ALONGSIDE ROSE, WHO SHOT 64

Former Open Major winner Lowry, who made over 160 feet of putts today, reflected: "I went out there with the hope of getting towards double digits. I got off to a great start and was rolling putts in and was really enjoying every minute of it. It is pretty cool to do something like this but obviously there is a lot more to do tomorrow. Justin and I both birdied four of the first five holes and I couldn't get the honour off him. I need to go out there and fight until the very end tomorrow." 

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SCHEFFLER'S WOES CONTINUE IN TOUGH THIRD ROUND

This round really is most unlike the world No.1 and it has to be traced back to yesterday's police incident which must have taken a lot out of Scheffler. He is +3 for the day after 14 holes and has slipped back to -6 in total after five bogeys and a double today. This includes bogeying all four of the par 3s. 

SCHAUFFELE DRAINS BIG BIRDIE PUTT ON THE PAR 3 14TH

Schauffele, searching for his first win in two years, has been plotting his way around the course and staying calm while his rivals gain ground. But his patience has been rewarded on the 14th with a long birdie putt for a two to get to -15 and -3 for the day.

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TROUBLE FOR SCHAUFFELE AT THE PAR 4 15TH

After extending his lead to two shots with a birdie at the 14th, Schauffele has run into big trouble at the 15th from the middle of the fairway. He pulled his approach with a 9 iron long and left and duffed his first chip from thick rough. He has since chipped up to about 10 feet and misses the putt to record a double bogey after seeing Theegala chip in for birdie as Morikawa makes a birdie too to take the lead.

NEW LEADER HITS THE FRONT 

Collin Morikawa dropped a shot on the second but has since reeled off four birdies to get to -3 for the round and -14 in total. He has followed it up with a tee shot at the long par 4 15th to the semi-rough which he has blasted through the green but manages to save par.

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SCHEFFLER HEADS UP THE LAST +3 FOR THE DAY AND -6 IN TOTAL

Scheffler is heading up the last and he needs something special at the par 5 to keep him in with a chance of the title after a disastrous day in which he has lost huge ground on the leaders. He makes a birdie from the sand to finish +2 for the day and -7 in total as his run of 41 successive rounds of par or better comes to an end.

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BOX OFFICE FINISH FROM DECHAMBEAU

Bryson DeChambeau has just chipped in for eagle at the par 5 18th to get to -13 in total as the American punches the air after recording a third round 67. Viktor Hovland also finishes on -13 in total after a birdie at the last. DeChambeau ,30, said: "I couldn't putt it as there was a sprinkler head in the way and I was happy to finish off and give myself a good shot for tomorrow. I am excited for tomorrow."

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LEADERS FINISH UP ON PAR 5 18TH WITH TRIO OF BIRDIES

The trio of Theegala, Schauffele and Morikawa all have birdie chances at the last. Morikawa drains his with a clutch up and down after driving into the rough, while Theegala has a two-putt birdie after finding the green and Schauffele chipped up fairly dead for his 4.

This has the potential to be a cracking day’s golf viewing

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There was some chuntering early on in this tournament that conditions were too benign, scores too low, how players were not being properly tested. But isn’t this type of golf, where someone can go low, where someone can make an unforeseen bolt from the pack to the uppers reaches of the leaderboard, as Shane Lowry did yesterday, preferable to some of the grim, penal set ups the US Open has dabbled in?

Some US Open courses have been so brutally unforgiving of error it has been a defensive game that has been principally examined, a case of hanging on, making the fewest mistakes, of not sliding down the leaderboard. It is hard in those circumstances for players to make charges up the leaderboard. They instead have to hope that other slide down past them.

A set up such as at Valhalla these past few days – and I know some of it has been accidental, the rain softening the greens to high receptiveness an act of God rather than of the PGA of America – does make for more rewarding, exciting viewing. What we have in prospect this afternoon is potentially a cracker of a climax. We know that even if someone bolts out ahead of the pack early on, there is still a decent chance that someone can still chase and catch them.

In the next few hours we will now whether it has lived up to its potential, but at this stage it is hard to call a winner, or even narrow down the winner to a small cast list. So many have a chance to seize the crown. We know there are potentials 62s out there; we also know that the golfing gods, or maybe golfing devils, provide the chance for final round to collapse a la Greg Norman’s at Augusta all those years ago.

There are a surprising number of golfers still left in this with a chance of victory, rare for this stage of a Major. That the final hole has been the scene of 16 eagles and 23 bogeys or worse over the first three days, adds an intriguing twist to any title challenge coming down the stretch.

How to watch the action live

I appreciate that you may well be intending to curl up with that wonderful golf novel Summer at Tangents  instead – and frankly who could blame you? – or just stay here with us on this blog – and, again, who could blame you? – but, if not, you may like to know that wherever you may be in the world, there is the potential to watch a live stream of the final day of the PGA Championship.

Best in class

Over the first three rounds, this who has done best in aggregate on the different length of holes:

Par 3s: 4 under par by Collin Morikawa, Sahith Theegala, Matt Wallace and Brice Garnett
Par 4s: 7 under par by Shane Lowry
Par 5s: 7 under par by Tom Hoge, Viktor Hovland, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Jason Day, SH Kim, Cameron Smith, Cameron Young and Byeong Hun An.

Byeong Hun An quickly out of the blocks

Birdies on the 2nd and 3rd holes have taken him 16 places up the leaderboard, albeit only to T38. Sebastian Söderberg, who is playing the 12th, has made four birdies in his last six holes and has risen 19 places from the lowest reaches of the leaderboard overnight to T56.

Why are range finders being allowed at this tournament?

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It is because the tournament is run by the PGA of America which allows them, unlike the PGA Tour, which does not. Our competition, our rules.

ALEJANDRO TOSTI: the long and the short of it

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The Argentinian has just driven the island green on the 349-yard 13th hole en route to an eagle 2. He then misses the green by a long chalk on the next hole, a par 3. Odd game, golf, sometimes. 

Jordan Smith has just eagled the 13th, too, but by holing his chip. His arms go aloft in triumph, to huge cheers from the spectators. That is the way to rebound from a bogey on 12. He is having a good round as that eagle is added to four birdies.

PGA of America vs PGA Tour vs PGA: what is the difference?

The PGA of America, which represents club golf professionals, was founded in 1916 to promote golf and look after the interests and standing of the professional golfer in America. These were the days when even the best tournament players normally still worked as club pros. The pro golfer in those days did not have a high standing in society, although his status was improving. This is still the era when the pro would often be forbidden for entering the clubhouse, and no-one wishing to be considered himself a ‘gentleman’ would consider entering the professional ranks and instead would play in tournaments as amateurs and not therefore be eligible for the prize money.

The idea of a Professional Golfers Association was not knew, as one had been founded in England in 1901 as a result of the leading players of the day. JH Taylor, James Braid and Harry Vardon galvanising their fellow pros to band together to form an organisation. On September 9, 1901 the London and Counties Golf Professionals' Association was formed. But at the first AGM, held on December 2, 1901, it was voted to change the name to 'The Professional Golfers' Association'.

The PGA Tour is distinct from the PGA of America, after the tour split off in the late 1960s. Once upon a time professional golfers made their money working at a club – there simply was not the prize money in the golf for a pro to earn his living simply from tournament play. But that changed over time and the tournament golfers became a different breed from the club pro, and felt that the PGA of America was no longer geared up to serve their interests as they would wish. So they formed a separate entity, the PGA Tour. So now the PGA of America is the organisation for club professionals and the PGA Tour membership is the elite tournament players.

The PGA of America’s membership focus is reflected in the entries to the PGA Championship. Places are awarded to club pros, with the top 20 finishers in the PGA Professional National Championship gaining entry to the PGA Championship.

What they are playing for: part one

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The Wanamaker Trophy is named after its donor, Rodman Wanamaker, a businessman who, in January 1916, invited invited leading figures in professional golf to a dinner in New York to discuss his idea of forming a body to improve the standing of professional golfers. The upshot was the formation of the Professional Golfers' Association of America. Wanamaker believed this body should hold it own prestigious annual competition, and he put up $2,500 in prize money and commissioned a trophy for the winner. Seven months later, the first PGA Championship was held, at Siwanoy Country Club in New York. The club’s head pro, Thomas Kerrigan, hit the first shot.

The trophy the players compete for now is a replica of the original. Walter Hagen had won it in 1924, and 1925. When he was asked why he had not brought the trophy back in 1926, he replied that it seemed simplest not to, as he was going to win it again. He did. He also won in 1927, But in 1928 when Leo Diegel won it, the truth cane out; Hagen has lost the trophy back in 1925 when out partying after his win. Although details remain vague, what is clear that when he left his taxi (to go nightclubbing), the trophy did not, Some believe he simply forgot it; but he said he had paid the taxi driver to take the trophy to his hotel.

The PGA of America had a replica made. But in 1930 the original was found in an unmarked case in the basement of L.A. Young & Company, the firm that made Hagen's golf clubs. The original trophy is now at the PGA Historical Center in Florida. The champions’ names are still added annually to the original, but is the replica that the winners are presented with.

What they are playing for: part two

The purse is a $1m more than last year and is now $18.5 million. The winner will receive $3.33 million, as the winner gets 18% of the total purse. The prize money has been going up markedly recently. These are the figures by year for purse and winner’s share:

2021: $12m; $2.16m
2022: $15m $2.7m
2023: $17.5, $3.15m
2024: $18.5m; $3.33m

What use is a 62?

I was reflecting last night that one of the field, at least, will have shot a 62 and yet not won. How odd. Then it occurred to me that actually that none of the golfers who had previously shot 62 in a Major won that Major.

Shows how the golfing landscape has changed that a round of 62 can be ultimately fruitless in terms of winning a tournament. If Xander Schauffele does not win today, he may wonder what else he has to do to win a Major. He shot 62 last year in the first round of the US Open at Los Angeles Country Club, as did Rickie Fowler. Schauffele finished T10; Fowler T5.

Brandon Grace carded a 62 in the third round at Royal Birkdale in 2017. Grace had shot 70 and 74 to make the cut, and this 62 took him to T5. He finished with a 70 and was T6.

But as Grace reflected afterwards: “I saw Gary Player on the Sunday evening and he came and gave me a big hug and said congrats. He said it doesn’t matter if somebody else shoots a 62, you’ll always be the first.”

Adam Hadwin eagles 13 

That is the third eagle on that hole today. It is the 61st hole out of the tournament. 

What if there is a tie for the lead after 72 holes?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

There will be a three-hole playoff over holes 13, 17 and 18. If that still does not bring a winner, then it goes into sudden-death. This will start at the 18th hole and then, if necessary to 13 (pictured) and then, if still needed 17. It will continue in this rotation until there is a clear winner.

How a LIV player can ensure his PGA Championship qualification for next year regardless of his world ranking

Much noise has been made, especially from the LIV side, about how LIV players are at a disadvantage in qualifying for Majors as LIV events do not qualify for Official World Golf Ranking points. But there are other ways to qualify, and a LIV golfer can qualify for next year’s PGA Championship by his performance today. 

The most obvious way is by winning, as past champions are given a lifetime exemption to the tournament. But anyone who finishes in the top 15 receives an invitation to the following year’s tournament.

The Low Pro battle

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Two of the 21 club pros in this event made the cut. One of them, Jeremy Wells, has finished his fourth round. Wells is the PGA Director of Player Development at Cypress Lake Golf Club in Fort Myers, Florida and he went round in 75 today after carding an 8 on the final hole following a wayward tee shot which required a drop. He finishes on 6 over par for the tournament.

Braden Shattuck is therefore poised to become this year’s Low Pro, as he is five under par for the tournament, and is about to play the back nine.

Shattuck is the PGA Director of Instruction at Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Pennsylvania. He won the 2023 PGA Professional Championship last year; This year he finished T16. He played collegiate golf at the University of Delaware but after a car accident in 2019 that left him with multiple herniated discs he had to rebuild his swing.

Jordan Smith cards 64

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The highlight of his round was that eagle on 13. It wasn't a flawless round as he had dropped a shot on the previous hole. But the Englishman made birdies on the 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th and 18th holes and finishes on seven under for the tournament. He has climbed 47 places from where he started the morning and is currently T26. But expect his position to drop down a few rungs by the end of today as lot of players are making a lot of birdies today.

All shall get prizes: how this year's prize money will be doled out:

Winner: $3,300,000
2nd: $1,998,000
3rd: $1,258,000
4th: $888,000
5th: $740,000
6th: $660,580
7th: $618,300
8th: $577,790
9th: $539,030
10th: $502,040

The chap coming 78th wins $22,100. All those who missed the cut but played all 36 holes get $4,000, as does any player who made the cut but who does not then submit a 72-hole score.

Scheffler starts his final round with a bogey

I think he might be looking forward to getting away from this place. His week hasn't exactly gone as he, or anyone, would have expected. But there are rumours swirling that the police charges against him may be dropped.

Future venues

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy came into this tournament on the back of a five-shot victory at Quail Hollow Club in North Carolina in the Wells Fargo Championship. Perhaps some consolation for him is that next year’s PGA Championship will be held there, a place that must have happy memories for him. However he won the actual PGA Championship at Valhalla and that has not ushered him towards the winner enclosure this time, so maybe this theory is complete bunkum.

The 2026 edition will be held at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania and in 2027 it is PGA Frisco in Texas that plays host to the PGA Championship.

This season’s remaining two Majors are at Pinehurst No. 2 and Royal Troon (pictured).

Want to see next year’s PGA Championship in person?

Next year’s tournament is from May 12 to 18. We explain everything you need to know about securing tickets for at the 2025 edition of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. 

So, just who is going to win?

I don’t know. But I do know that 40 of the last 41 Major winners have been within four shots of the lead entering the final round. So, er, one of Morikawa, Schauffele, Theegala, Lowry, DeChambeau, Hovland, Rose, MacIntyre or Burmester?

I now pass this blog over to James Nursey who will take you through to the end.

KOEPKA BELATEDLY CLIMBING THE LEADERBOARD

Defending champion Brooks Koepka would have hoped to have figured more prominently on the leaderboard before now but he finishing well with a -4 final round which has got him to -8 after 14 holes today.

CEO OF PGA OF AMERICA HOPES THE MAJOR CAN HELP UNIFY GAME

Seth Waugh, the CEO of the PGA of America, has been talking to Sky about the tournament which has provided a superb packed leaderboard including LIV pros Bryson DeChambeau and Dean Burmester. Waugh said: "I am a big believer the game needs to come back together. It is an extraordinary leaderboard and a great example of what the game can be at the highest level."

SPIETH UNDERWAY CHASING A GRAND SLAM

Jordan Spieth, who just needs this Major to complete the career Grand Slam, is underway at -8 looking to make a charge up the leaderboard. He made par on the first and fired in a decent approach at the second to give himself a birdie chance which just slid by for another par. He appears dialled in after putting his tee shot close on the par 3 third.

FLEETWOOD BIRDIES THE LAST FOR A -6 FINAL ROUND 

Tommy Fleetwood finishes the tournament on -9 after a fine -6 final round including a birdie on the last. His round included an eagle on the par 5 7th.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

McILROY MAKES SLOW START IN FINAL ROUND

Rory McIlroy is on the fourth and is already +1 for the day after a bogey on the first. Last week's winner from the Wells Fargo tournament on the PGA Tour has shown flashes of quality but never been able to sustain much momentum here at Valhalla this week. 

LOWRY STILL ALL SMILES AFTER HIS RECORD-EQUALLING 62

Shane Lowry is in the mix on -13 after his stunning third round 62 yesterday, which was the joint lowest round in Major history. The affable Irishman is giving off good vibes ahead of his tee time in about 35 minutes.

ANY PLAYERS WILL DO WELL TO BETTER THIS SHOT BY TOSTI

Alejandro Tosti is in the clubhouse on even par after a -3 final round which included this incredible tee shot on the par 4 13th to set up eagle.

DEFENDING CHAMPION KOEPKA FINISHES ON -9

Koepka won't be picking up the trophy this year but he has carded a very creditable -5 round to get to -9

HUGE CHEERS FOR KENTUCKY NATIVE JUSTIN THOMAS

Thomas is -1 under for the day after holing out from the sand on the par 3 third to get to -11. The two-time PGA Championship winner ,31, is from Louisville and is a firm crowd favourite.

POSITIVE START FROM BRYSON DECHAMBEAU

DeChambeau is still searching for his second Major despite admitting after winning the US Open in 2020 that he expected to win more. He has made a promising start today though with a huge drive at the first and a short iron in to tee up a birdie chance. His birdie effort slides by but it is an easy par.

LOWRY UNDERWAY AFTER STRIPING GOOD DRIVE

Lowry appears relaxed and calm as he chases his second Major. He is underway now  and has fired in a glorious 7 iron very close to the hole at the first. Playing partner Sahith Theegala makes his from longer for a share of the lead and then Lowry misses.

McILROY MOVES TO -9 WITH BIRDIE AT EIGHTH

Rory is now -1 for the day and -9 in total as he gets going and he has another birdie look at the 9th after this stunning approach.

FINE START FOR XANDER SCHAUFFELE

What a start for Schauffele who gets to -16 on his own with a birdie at the first after rolling in a lengthy putt at the par 4.

FINAL PAIR BOTH UNABLE TO HIT SECOND GREEN IN REGULATION

Schauffele and Morikawa may give a shot back to the field on the second where they have both failed to hit the green after finding the left hand rough off the tee. Morikawa has hacked out short to a wedge range and Schauffele is in the sand over the back. Morikawa then spins in a wedge from 81 yards to two foot and Schauffele gets up and down too. 

BRILLIANT BIRDIE ON THE THIRD FOR LOWRY

Lowry cut a sensational tee shot into the 186 yard par 3 third and has holed the putt to dial up some pressure on the leaders. But Schauffele in the final group behind has then fired one in close too but his putt lips out while Morikawa also settles for par. A missed opportunity for Schauffele who also got tight with his putter last weekend to lose out to Rory.

LOWRY NEARLY HOLES OUT FOR EAGLE BUT SETTLES FOR BIRDIE

Lowry's second to the par four fourth hits the flag and stops dead for a tap-in birdie to get to -15, one behind.

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU LOOKING DANGEROUS

The fifth is 461 yards and Bryson has just reduced the par four to a drive and a wedge to make his second birdie of the day and get to one shot behind Schauffele. There is a pack emerging and they are hungry for birdies. Schauffele is going to need make plenty of his own - like his opening 3 on the first below - I feel to clinch this as he feathers an approach in close at the fourth which he makes. 

LEADERS HIT THE FAIRWAY ON THE FIFTH 

Schauffele is looking calm and composed and has hit some brilliant shots already to be -2 for four holes today to lead by two. He could get tight though as he chases his maiden Major and I like how DeChambeau and Lowry are swinging.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

BRYSON HAS JUST PUTTED IN FROM OFF THE GREEN

DeChambeau has just got to -3 for the day and -16 in total with a brilliant putt from off the green on the sixth as he responds with glee. He is pushing Schauffele the hardest. 

SCHAUFFELE MAKES VITAL UP AND DOWN AT THE SIXTH

Schauffele has rolled in a superb putt from about 18 foot to save par on the sixth just when it looked like he could relinquish the lead with Hovland joining DeChambeau on -16. 

SCHAUFFELE WITH A CHANCE TO STRETCH LEAD AT PAR 5 SEVENTH

Schauffele and Morikawa have both hit the fairway at the par 5 seventh to give themselves a chance of reaching the green in two but the leader finds the green side trap where he is joined by Morikawa before the pair splash out to have birdie putts, which the leader makes.

SCHEFFLER BACK IN THE OLD ROUTINE

What a week for world No.1 Scottie Scheffler who was arrested on Friday and carded a 73 for his first over par in 42 rounds on Saturday. But he was back in the old routine and back with his regular caddie Ted Scott today - who missed Saturday due to a family graduation - as he finished -6 under and -13 in total , which could earn him a top 10 spot. 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

WHILE MORIKAWA POTTERS ALONG, DECHAMBEAU IS ATTACKING

Morikawa has made a par at every hole so far , albeit after missing several birdie putts. But Bryson is going for it big time at -3 for the day. He is two off the lead and has just drilled a 6 iron into the 10th green from 243 yards to set up a birdie chance. 

HOVLAND ONE OFF THE LEAD DESPITE NEARLY PULLING OUT

Viktor Hovland was so unsure of his form he admitted he nearly pulled out of the tournament. But fresh from linking up with his old coach Joe Mayo, Hovland is -4 for the final round after 10 holes and -17 in total alongside playing partner Bryson DeChambeau. 

SCHAUFFELE GIVES HIMSELF ANOTHER BIRDIE LOOK AT 9TH

Fine approach on the 9th from Schauffele to a pin cut tight on the right side. He now looks to have an eight-foot putt for a three to restore his two-shot lead which he converts in impressive style to get to -4 at the turn and -19 in total. 

McILROY PUTTS OUT FOR A -12 TOTAL AFTER A -4 FINAL ROUND

Rory's Major wait continues despite returning to his old happy hunting ground. He closed with a birdie on the 18th and is currently tied 11th. 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

UNFORCED ERROR FROM SCHAUFFELE ON 10TH OPENS DOOR

Schauffele has bogeyed the easiest hole on the course on the 10th after driving into the sand and coming up short in the rough with an optimistic fairway wood. He then failed to get up and down from the fringe after his approach ran on and he has dropped a shot. Meanwhile Morikawa remains level par after missing his latest birdie putt as he recorded his 10th straight par.

SCHAUFFELE BOUNCES BACK ON PAR 3 11TH WITH A FINE TWO 

We have a thrilling battle at the top of the leaderboard with Schauffele bouncing back from his first dropped shot with a birdie at the 11th after losing top spot to Hovland. They are now tied at the top with Hovland who is -6 for his round.

SCHAUFFELE'S IRON PLAY IS QUITE BRILLIANT TODAY

Schauffele has executed his irons brilliantly and he has just fired a 7iron in from 200 yards to about six feet on the par 4 12th. He has a birdie look which he converts leaving Hovland on the par 4 15th with a birdie putt to go back level which he cannot take.

SCHAUFFELE LEADS BY ONE AND IS ON THE 13TH IN REGULATION

Schauffele is on the par 4 13th green in two and will have a lengthy downhill putt for birdie which trails off on the left side leaving a tap-in 4. Meanwhile DeChambeau has caught a big break on the 16th after pulling his tee shot left into the trees only for it to ricochet back on to the fairway from where he has stiffed an approach setting up another birdie at the 520-yard hole to get to -6 for the round and -19 in total.

SCHAUFFELE FIRES ANOTHER SUPERB IRON INTO THE PAR 3 14TH

It is going to take something special to beat Schauffele at this rate as the leader keeps firing irons in close to the flag. He has played another fine tee shot on the par 3 14th, which is 235 yards. He doesn't make birdie but gets an easy par.

HOVLAND HAS HIT AN APPROACH IN CLOSE AT THE 17TH

Hovland and DeChambeau, who are both -6, will have a chance to go level on the 17th with Schauffele at the top of the leaderboard on -20. Hovland is the closer of the pair as Bryson leaves his attempt short from distance and Hovland's curls just wide. Schauffele remains one ahead after making par on the 15th. As for Morikawa, after 14 straight pars, he dropped a shot on 15.

DECHAMBEAU AND HOVLAND ARE ON THE PAR 5 18TH AND NEED SOME MAGIC

Dechambeau and Hovland have a chance at the par 5 18th to put pressure on Schauffele. DeChambeau has driven into the sand. Meanwhile back on the 16th, Schauffele is on the par 4 green in regulation. Both DeChambeau and Hovland chip up and have birdie putts to match Schauffele's -20 total as DeChambeau makes his for a -7 round of 64 and Hovland misses.

SCHAUFFELE NOW KNOWS A PAR AND A BIRDIE AT THE LAST WILL WIN

Schauffele, who is -20 level with DeChambeau, is -5 for the day and needs a par on the 17th and a birdie on 18 to win. The pressure is really on now after DeChambeau set the clubhouse total.

SCHAUFFELE DISPLAYS NERVES OF STEEL ON THE 17TH

After his drive on the par 4 17th caught a sand trap, Schauffele makes his par after a fine chip from the fringe of the green. That leaves Schauffele needing a birdie at the par 5 18th to win his maiden Major.

SCHAUFFELE NEEDS A BIRDIE AT THE PAR 5 LAST TO WIN

Schauffele has caught a bad break on the 18th where his tee shot has run off the fairway on to the edge of the bunker to leave him a difficult stance with the ball above his feet on the grass. He has 248 yards to the green and will be standing in the sand. He has executed it excellently and left his ball pin high and left of the green from where he has an up and down to win.

SCHAUFFELE WILL WIN IF HE GETS UP AND DOWN FROM ABOUT 40 YARDS

Schauffele , who got up and down on the 17th, must now do the same from further away on the 18th to win as DeChambeau watches the big screen at the range while he prepares for a potential Play-Off. Schauffele once again shows a lovely touch to chip in close and give him around four to five feet for the title.

SCHAUFFELE HAS FIVE-FOOT BIRDIE PUTT FOR THE TITLE

Schauffele, who has led the tournament from the start, has been brilliant today and now has a five-foot birdie putt for a -6 round and a -21 total and the title.....

YES! SCHAUFFELE MAKES IT AND IS THE CHAMPION

(Image credit: Getty Images)

A well-deserved wire to wire win

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