Xander Schauffele, a native of San Diego, made history at the 2024 PGA Championship by winning his first major title. The tournament took place at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Schauffele finished with a score of 21-under par, breaking the record for the lowest score to par in a major championship.
The final round saw a thrilling battle between Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau. Both players were tied going into the last hole, but it was Schauffele who emerged victorious with a birdie on the 18th hole. The putt, which lipped around the edge of the cup before falling in, was a defining moment in Schauffele's career.
Schauffele's journey to this point had been filled with close calls and disappointment. He had finished second or third in several major championships and had been criticized for his mental toughness. However, he refused to let these setbacks deter him from his goal of winning a major title.
In the months leading up to the PGA Championship, Schauffele made a bold decision to bring in Chris Como as his new coach. This move proved to be pivotal in helping Schauffele break through and finally claim victory.
The win was not only significant for Schauffele but also for his family and friends. His wife Maya was emotional after the victory, expressing her pride and relief that her husband had finally achieved his dream.
Schauffele's father, Stefan, watched the tournament from a shipping container on Kauai, Hawaii. Despite being physically absent from Valhalla Golf Club during the tournament, he was still a constant source of support for his son.
The PGA Championship victory marked a major turning point in Schauffele's career. He had come up short in previous attempts at major championships and had faced criticism for his mental toughness. But with this win, he proved to the world that he was a force to be reckoned with.
The total prize pool for the 2024 PGA Championship was $18.5 million, an increase of $1 million from the previous year's championship. Schauffele took home $3.3 million for his victory, which is roughly 16% of the total prize money.
Players who missed the cut or failed to submit a 72-hole score received $4,000.
Xander Schauffele's win was a testament to his perseverance and determination. He had faced numerous challenges throughout his career but never gave up on his dream of winning a major title. With this victory, he joined the ranks of golf's greatest players and proved that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.
