Americans fight back at Quail Hollow
The 107th PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA (15-18 May) is really hotting-up. Former US Open Champion from England, Matt Fitzpatrick topped the leaderboard shortly after the start of round three together with halfway leader Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela), Frenchman Matthieu Pavon and Si Woo Kim (South Korea) on 6-under par. However, it was the World Number One golfer from America, Scottie Scheffler who steadily worked his way to the top by shooting a 6-under par 65 to take the outright lead on 11-under par.
So what happened to Vegas?
Well, the 40-year old professional got off to a shaky bogey-bogey start but then came alive later at the 7th and 14th with birdies. He even got back to the top of the leaderboard, or at least within one shot of the leader. Alas, the dog-leg 569 yard, par-5 15th hole cost him another bogey and the 18th too leaving the Venezuelan golfer on 2-over par to share 5th spot on 6-under.
Matt Fitzpatrick carded two opening 68’s but then suffered two bogeys on the 13th and 14th in the third round for a one-over par 72 to end-up in a share of 8th spot on 5-under par. The 30-year old from Sheffield will have to get a good night’s sleep in order to pep-up his golf for the final day today.
Fitzgerald shares 8th spot with Americans Keegan Bradley, Tony Finau and an inspiring Bryson DeChambeau, as well as Frenchman Matthieu Pavon. However, DeChambeau, the 2024 US Open Champion, had a calamity at the 17th which he double-bogeyed after having just bogeyed the 16th. Yes, the last three holes at Quail Hollow Club are challenging, even for the best professionals in the world, which is why this stretch is known as the ‘Green Mile’.
Alas, a bogey at the 18th saw Si Woo Kim miss out on a share of third spot so the player from South Korea had to be happy with a level par 71 for a tie with Vegas and Spain’s Jon Rahm in 5th spot.
After opening with two rounds of 70, Spain’s Jon Rahm had some serious concentration ahead of him in round three and succeeded to climb-up the leaderboard by a staggering 22 places after carding a 4-under par 67. Birdies at the 14th, 15th and 16th got him into a share of the lead with Scheffler and Vegas.
Scheffler’s shining performance at Quail Hollow
Scottie Scheffler started his third round in the PGA Championship with a bogey but completed the first nine with three birdies for a 33. He had two bogeys on the back nine but with birdies at the 12th, 15th, 17th and 18th with the bonus of an eagle at the 14th, the American was delighted with his 65. The 28-year old collector of Major titles now leads the PGA Championship on 11-under par which is three shots clear of the chasing pack.
Surprisingly Sweden’s Alex Noren completed his third round with an impeccable four birdies in the last five holes giving him an impressive 5-under par 66 to take him to runner-up spot on his own on 8-under.
One shot further behind are two Americans: Davis Riley and J.T. Poston. They shot rounds of 67 and 68 to get within grasp of the huge Wanamaker Trophy on 7-under just four shots off the target set by Scheffler.
Sunday will be an exciting day at Quail Hollow Club. Can Scottie Scheffler hold-off the chasing pack? After all, he has a three-shot advantage. Or can Jhonattan Vegas fight-back and become a rather unexpected Major Champion? Jon Rahm may continue to find his form again too. All I can say is: Enjoy the spectacle!
Wendy Hoad
Editor
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: Scottie Scheffler and Si Woo Kim in action. UNDER: Max Homa and Bryson DeChambeau.