‘Blood in the water’ for record low scores in PGA Championship final round

LOUISVILLE – Co-leader Xander Schauffele anticipates another threat to the lowest round in Major golf history in the final round of the PGA Championship on May 19, with an epic shoot-out possible at rain-softened Valhalla.

Schauffele matched the all-time low Major round with a nine-under 62 in the first round on May 16 and Irishman Shane Lowry tied him on May 18, missing a birdie putt at the par-five 18th for what would have been an unprecedented 61.

“Probably the most disappointed anyone can ever be shooting 62. I knew what was at stake. Just didn’t hit the ball hard enough. Had it on a good read and just broke away from the hole,” said Lowry.

Schauffele added: “There’s blood in the water. Everyone laughed and then Shane Lowry almost shot 61.

“I imagine someone in that threshold now that it has been done twice is going to shoot something low and post a number early. I imagine that’s going to happen. Just staying in my lane is what’s going to make me play well.”

World No. 3 Schauffele, seeking his first Major triumph, shot a 68 on May 18 to share the 54-hole lead with two-time Major winner Collin Morikawa (67) on 15-under 198.

There are 15 players at 10-under or better, the most in any Major after 54 holes, crushing the old mark of seven.

Jordan Spieth, needing a win to complete a career Grand Slam, and Rory McIlroy, whose last Major win was a decade ago at Valhalla, are seven shots back and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is eight back – just like Lowry was before his charge left him on 13 under.

“A lot of guys took it low to climb their way up. I assume tomorrow is going to be the same,” Morikawa said.

Reigning Olympic champion Schauffele tried to downplay the importance of a first Major crown, which would also end a title drought dating back to the 2022 Scottish Open.

“It really is just a result. But yeah, it would mean a ton,” he said.

Morikawa said fans want to see a Major breakthrough by Schauffele more than they want to see him take a third Major at age 27.

“It’s nice to have people root for you and I feel like people aren’t rooting for me out here. They like a good story. Xander hasn’t won one, other guys, whatever it may be... I could care less,” the American said.

Morikawa won the 2021 British Open and 2020 PGA Championship, and will use those Major wins to help him on May 19.

“I’m going to tap in just that mental state I’ve been in, not only those two, but in other tournaments I’ve played well in. The goal before my tee time is just to be mentally sharp by that first hole,” he said.

Schauffele said he wants to play from the top of the leaderboard, rather than chase from behind.

“You want the lead. Against these guys, you want as many shots as you can possibly take, no matter how nerve-racking it can be,” the 30-year-old American said.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, 12 of the last 13 PGA Championships were won by a player who was leading or within two shots of the 54-hole lead, with the lone exception coming in 2022 when Justin Thomas came back from seven shots adrift.

Schauffele said his 62 “felt super easy” but since then, it has been harder.

“Felt like I’ve had to work for a lot of my birdies the last two days. Haven’t been able to make many putts. I’m hitting the ball pretty nice. If I can just get the putter going a little bit, it should free me up,” he said.

Morikawa is not worried so much about the start as the finish.

“I’ve made birdies throughout this entire golf course, so it’s not like I have to get all my birdies in through the first six holes. There are going to be guys that take it very low early on and there are a ton of guys that could do a lot tomorrow,” he said.

“If I need to press, it’s going to be in the last two to three holes – if I need to.” AFP, REUTERS