Xander Schauffele proves doubters wrong with historic win at 2024 PGA Championship

Entering Sunday, Schauffele was the only golfer ranked among the top five in the world without a major championship win, a list that includes Rory McIlroy (4), Scottie Scheffler (2), Jon Rahm (2) and Wyndham Clark (1). 

Schauffele bogeyed hole 10, opening the door for Bryson DeChambeau and Viktor Hovland. However, just when it looked like his past struggles would come back to haunt him, he responded. Schauffele birdied three of the remaining eight holes, shooting par on the others. But his final shot of the day was the most important. 

After DeChambeau had recorded a birdie on hole 18, tying for the lead at -20, Schauffele buried a birdie putt of his own, securing the Wanamaker Trophy and the right to call himself a major winner. 

Schauffele had developed a reputation for not being able to close out wins despite impressive performances. After going over two years without a PGA Tour victory, that perception only grew. However, following Sunday's remarkable, history-making win, he called the moment "so sweet." 

"I knew, if I could stay out of my own way and just let myself hit the shots, let myself read the putts, and feel comfortable, I can do something nice," Schauffele told the Golf Channel.