World number one Scottie Scheffler stormed into the lead of the US PGA Championship and will take a three-shot advantage into Sunday’s final round at Quail Hollow.
The 28-year-old carded a superb round of 65 – playing his final five holes in five under – to end the day on 11 under par for the tournament.
In both 2022 and 2024, Scheffler converted 54-hole leads into victories at the Masters and is in prime position to seal his third major win.
Sweden’s Alex Noren holds solo second spot on eight under, making birdies on four of his final five holes to shoot 66.
Spain’s Jon Rahm and American Bryson DeChambeau both briefly held the lead before finishing at six under and five under par respectively.
Until Scheffler’s late flourish, the top of the leaderboard was tightly contested throughout an enthralling day in North Carolina, with the lead fluctuating wildly and at one stage five players sharing top spot.
Overnight leader Jhonattan Vegas began the day two clear but his advantage was eroded by bogeys on his first two holes and he finished the day five shots back at six under par.
He is alongside two-time major winner Rahm, who thrust himself into contention with a round of 67.
Fellow LIV golfer and perennial major contender DeChambeau celebrated when he seized the outright lead with three holes of his round to play, but the American carded a bogey and a double bogey on his way home to shoot a two-under 69.
At the opposite end of the leaderboard, Masters champion Rory McIlroy shot a one-over 72 to end round three 13 shots off the pace.
Peerless Scheffler leads charge on moving day
The third day of a major is colloquially known as ‘moving day’, when players position themselves for a Sunday challenge.
Scattered thunderstorms meant the start here was delayed by more than three hours, with play switched to begin from the first and 10th tees and the field of 74 competing in three-balls rather than in groups of two.
The change did not slow down several of golf’s star names, but it was Scheffler who surged clear thanks to a stunning finish to his round.
The catalyst was his drive on the 304-yard par-four 14th, which came to rest three feet from the cup. From there, he made an eagle two.
Breathtaking iron play brought birdies on 15 and 17 before he finally closed out Quail Hollow’s toughest hole, the 18th, by sinking his 10-foot birdie putt and clenching his fist in satisfaction.
“You work your whole life to have a chance to win major tournaments,” said Scheffler. “Tomorrow I have a good opportunity to go out there and try and win but it’s going to take another really good round.”
In 2024, Scheffler won eight times, but has only one victory so far this season after a freak hand injury at Christmas delayed his season.
That win however did come in his most recent start at the Byron Nelson Classic – and it was by eight shots.
Only four players this century have won the US PGA Championship after coming from three or more behind at the 54-hole stage. With Scheffler in this mood, that feat looks particularly daunting this weekend.
