The 108th PGA Championship was a spectacle of surprises, from the challenging course setup to the unexpected triumph of Aaron Rai. Rai's victory was a testament to the game's unpredictability and the importance of humility and hard work. In this article, I'll delve into the key takeaways from the event, analyze the performances of the top golfers, and offer insights into the upcoming U.S. Open.
A Major Upset
One thing that immediately stands out is the stunning upset of the tournament. Aaron Rai, a golfer who was mostly known for his unique fashion sense (wearing two black gloves), pulled off a 3-stroke victory. This win marked a significant moment in golf history, as Rai became the first English-born golfer to triumph in the PGA Championship in over a century. His victory was a reminder that in golf, as in life, anything is possible.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between Rai's relatively low odds to win (290-1 according to DraftKings) and his impressive performance. Rai's win was not just a fluke; he had been consistently performing well in majors, making the cut in each of the past nine and tying for 19th in both the PGA Championship and U.S. Open in 2024. This achievement highlights the importance of perseverance and the potential for underdogs to rise to the occasion.
The Top Performers
Alex Smalley
Alex Smalley showed some nerves in the final round while trying to win his first PGA Tour event, no less a major championship. Despite holding at least a share of the lead in each of the first three rounds, Smalley made a double-bogey on No. 6 and a bogey on No. 8 to fall off the pace. However, he recovered on the back nine, and his eagle on the 16th and birdie on the 18th helped him finish in a tie for second with Jon Rahm at 6 under. This top-four finish earned Smalley his first trip to the Masters next year, as well as a return to the 2027 PGA Championship in Frisco, Texas.
What many people don't realize is that Smalley's performance was a sign of his growing confidence and skill. His five straight top-25 finishes on tour, including a tie for seventh in the Cadillac Championship and for 17th in the Truist Championship, demonstrate his consistent improvement. With a strong performance at the PGA Championship, Smalley is poised to make some noise this summer.
Jon Rahm
Jon Rahm, on the other hand, was both a winner and a disappointment this week. After a noncompetitive performance at the Masters this year, there was a lot of attention surrounding Rahm's future, given the uncertainty of LIV Golf's future. However, Rahm went out and had his best finish at a major (T-2) since winning at Augusta in 2023. This performance was a testament to his resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks.
From my perspective, Rahm's performance raises a deeper question: Can he consistently perform at the highest level in the face of uncertainty? His ability to recover from a noncompetitive performance at the Masters and still finish in the top two at the PGA Championship is a testament to his mental fortitude and skill. However, one could also make the case that Rahm squandered a golden opportunity. With no other big names really making a run at the lead Sunday at Aronimink, Rahm was right there and was far and away the best player to have a chance of running down Rai. His performance on Sunday was a reminder that in golf, as in life, opportunities come and go, and it's up to the individual to seize them.
The Disappointments
Bryson DeChambeau
For the second straight major, Bryson DeChambeau wasn't around for the weekend, and you have to wonder if LIV Golf's uncertain future has something to do with it. DeChambeau has two LIV Golf victories this season, but his game was a mess in the Masters and PGA Championship. He made a triple-bogey 7 on the 18th at Augusta National and missed the cut by two strokes. He posted 76-71 at Aronimink and missed the cut by three strokes, even after making birdies on his last three holes. This is the first time DeChambeau missed the weekend in consecutive majors since 2017.
One thing that immediately stands out is the contrast between DeChambeau's performance at the Masters and his performance at the PGA Championship. While DeChambeau's iron play has been subpar (he lost .220 strokes on approach) and his short game has been worse (he lost 3.927 strokes around the greens), his performance at the Masters was a sign of his potential. The question now is whether DeChambeau can recover from this setback and regain his form.
Looking Ahead to the U.S. Open
The most fascinating story heading into the year's third major is Scottie Scheffler. Not only is he going to be looking to complete the career grand slam at just 29 years old (he actually turns 30 the day the final round will be played), but he's having one of the most unique seasons we've seen in recent history. Scheffler hasn't finished outside of the top 25 of any event he has played in. He has won only once but has finished inside the top five in six tournaments. It would be foolish to think that he’s playing anything but some of the best golf in the world. And yet, it was hard to watch Scheffler in Philadelphia this week, where he finished at 2-under and T-14, and not notice his frustration.
What this really suggests is that Scheffler's struggles on the greens may be an issue. If Scheffler had putted the way he has most of this season (T-26 on tour), he probably wins this tournament. However, his previous struggles on the greens may be back to being an issue, and the notion of Scheffler being great but not good enough to win this season will be squarely in the forefront at Shinnecock where he’s already set to be a focal point of the tournament. The U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club promises to be a challenging and exciting event, with the course setup and pin placements likely to be a key factor in determining the winner.
