Highlights from the 2025 PGA Championship: A Recap

How good is Scottie Scheffler?

Scheffler officially won his third career major championship after nearly blowing a five-shot lead at Quail Hollow club on Sunday afternoon, rallying to pick up a commanding win at the second major of the year. His performance showcased why he's the top-ranked golfer in the world, as he remained composed when the pressure mounted and turned on the afterburners when he needed it most.

The win marks Scheffler's 15th career PGA Tour victory and his second this month alone, following his victory at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson just two weeks before. His ability to perform under the most intense pressure solidifies his position as the game's most dominant player.

The Challengers at the 2025 PGA Championship

The battle for second place provided plenty of drama throughout the weekend and it was clear that the Official World Golf ranking is not an accurate image of the level of golf being played by all golfers. Rahm appeared to be mounting a serious challenge during Sunday's final round, closing the gap on Scheffler's commanding lead. However, the Spaniard stumbled badly down the stretch, finishing 5-over on his final three holes and dropping well back from contention.

J.T. Poston and Davis Riley tied for third at 7-under for the week, while Jhonattan Vegas - who had taken the lead at the midway point - dropped to 6-under after a difficult weekend. Vegas was the surprise story early in the tournament, firing an impressive 7-under 64 on Thursday to take a two-shot lead after the first round.

Rory McIlroy's Grand Slam Hangover

Fresh off completing the career Grand Slam (winning all major golf championships - the Masters, the Open Championship, the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship) with his victory at the Masters in April, McIlroy arrived at Quail Hollow Golf Club as the betting favorite on a course where he's won four times (2010, 2015, 2021, and 2024). However, the Northern Irishman struggled mightily throughout the week.

McIlroy shot a disappointing 3-over 74 in his opening round at Quail Hollow, struggling with his driver throughout the day. Despite entering with enormous momentum and confidence following his breakthrough at Augusta, McIlroy never found his rhythm. His attempt to become the first player to win the Masters and PGA Championship in the same year since Jack Nicklaus in 1975 fell well short.

Equipment Drama for Rory

One of the tournament's notable storylines developed before the first round even began. During the PGA of America's standard equipment testing, McIlroy's driver was found to be non-conforming, adding an unexpected distraction to his preparation. This rare situation generated significant discussion throughout the golf world about equipment testing procedures and standards during major championships.

Bryson DeChambeau's Solid Showing

Bryson entered the week as one of the favorites given his prodigious length off the tee and the rain-soaked conditions at Quail Hollow. After his near-miss at the Masters and recent LIV Golf victory, many expected the two-time major champion to contend.

While he didn't quite challenge for the title as predicted, DeChambeau put together a solid performance, particularly during the middle rounds, showing why many analysts considered Quail Hollow's 7,600-yard layout perfectly suited to his game. His consistent performance added another quality major result to his increasingly impressive résumé.

Together with other LIV Golf players, Bryson's recent results make it hard not to question - how can first time captain Keegan Bradley leave them out of the Ryder Cup?

Michael Block's Return

Club professional Block, who memorably finished T15 at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill two years ago (making a Sunday ace alongside McIlroy), qualified for his fourth straight PGA via last month's PGA Professional Championship.

The teaching pro continues to capture the imagination of golf fans with his ability to compete alongside the game's elite while maintaining his day job at a California club. Though he didn't match his magical 2023 performance, Block provided numerous highlights throughout the week and received enthusiastic support from the Charlotte galleries.

The Green Mile's Challenge at Quail Hollow

Located in North Carolina, United States, Quail Hollow's closing three holes, known as "The Green Mile," proved absolutely championship-worthy and were a killer test for the field. The 16th was the most difficult hole of Round 1, the 17th ranked second, and the 18th the fourth most difficult.

The brutality of the closing stretch was perfectly illustrated when the marquee grouping of Scheffler, McIlroy, and Schauffele all made double bogeys at the par-4 16th hole during Thursday's opening round. Throughout the week, par on these closing holes felt like gaining a stroke on the field.

Weather Challenges

The third round on Saturday was delayed due to lightning in the area, with play eventually beginning at 11:43 a.m. with players teeing off in threesomes from split tees. The weather delays added another layer of complexity to an already challenging week, testing the players' mental fortitude and adaptability.

The early-week rains had already soaked the course, making the 7,626-yard layout play even longer than its listed distance. However, Quail Hollow's SubAir system beneath the greens allowed the putting surfaces to maintain reasonable firmness despite the wet conditions.

Notable Disappointments at the 2025 PGA Championship

Several big names failed to make an impact at Quail Hollow. Some notables that failed to make the weekend include Jordan Spieth, who was aiming for the career Grand Slam after McIlroy completed the feat at the Masters, and Justin Thomas, the 2017 PGA Championship winner at Quail Hollow.

Three-time PGA champion Brooks Koepka struggled mightily, hitting only five fairways and making five bogeys and a double in a round of 4-over 75 in his opening round. Phil Mickelson also continued his struggles at Quail Hollow, shooting 79 in the first round - matching his worst score in 32 PGA Championship appearances.

PGA Championship Purse and Impact for the Charlotte region

The PGA Championship, like all of the game's majors, has seen a steady increase in its purse size over the last several years. The 2025 purse reached $19 million, with Scheffler claiming the winner's share of $3,420,000.

Beyond the tournament itself, the economic impact for the Charlotte region was substantial, with local businesses benefiting from the influx of golf fans from around the world.

Looking Ahead to the 125th U.S. Open

As Scheffler adds another major championship to his growing collection, the focus now shifts to next month's U.S. Open at Oakmont, where he'll look to continue his remarkable run. His combination of power, precision, and mental toughness has set a new standard in the game, one that his competitors will need to match if they hope to contend in golf's biggest events.

For McIlroy, questions will continue about his ability to consistently perform in majors, despite his breakthrough at Augusta. For the PGA of America, the successful return to Quail Hollow has cemented the venue's status as one of America's premier major championship sites.

The 2025 PGA Championship will be remembered not just for Scheffler's brilliance and resilience, but for the drama, spectacular shots, and compelling competition that made it a tournament worth watching from start to finish.