Scottie Scheffler admitted his putting performance at the PGA Championship was a “bitter pill” as Aaron Rye and Rory McIlroy were unable to apply pressure on the final hole of their major victory.
Rye won his first major title with an impressive three-stroke victory at Aronimink Golf Club. An eagle and four birdies (including one from 70 feet) in the final 10 holes helped him climb out of the crowded leaderboard.
After a final day Sunday in which 30 players were within five strokes of the lead, the Briton shot a five-under 65 to comfortably finish ahead of two-time major champion Jon Rahm, who took the overnight lead.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights from the final round of the PGA Championship, where Aaron Rye won his first major title at Aronimink Golf Club
Scheffler, a pre-tournament favorite to win the tournament, was among the five back-starters on Sunday, aiming to defend his title and win his fifth major title in recent years, but he finished tied for 14th with a final round of 69, four birdies and three bogeys.
The world No. 1 wasted six chances from inside five feet during the week and finished 72nd out of 82 players participating over the weekend in strokes gained putts, his performance on the greens preventing him from moving further up the leaderboard.
Scottie Scheffler failed to make a six-putt from inside 10 feet in just the third round of the PGA Championship.
“I’m happy with the way I fought,” Scheffler told Sky Sports. “I fought really hard this past week, but nothing went right on the greens. I feel like I gave myself a good chance.
“Today was a day where I hit a lot of greens. I just couldn’t hole any holes. That’s what happened this week for me. It was just not holed putts.”
“When I look back on a week like this, I feel like I’ve had a really good year on the greens. Having a disappointing week on the greens in a major is a tough pill to swallow.”
How McIlroy sacrificed himself in three holes to win another major title
McIlroy successfully defended his title at the Masters last month, with the world No. 2 starting the final round three shots behind and aiming to become the first player since Jordan Spieth in 2015 to win the first two majors in a calendar year.
Rory McIlroy finished tied for seventh at the PGA Championship, five strokes behind Aaron Rye.
The six-time major champion holed in from 10 feet on the first to save par and birdied the second to move within two of the lead, but could only add one birdie and one bogey the rest of the way with a final-round 69.
McIlroy was unable to capitalize on his 379-yard drive to the par-5 ninth, hit his tee shot into the rough on the driveable 13th and made par on the 16th, ending the week’s tournament at even par for the par-5 hole.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Rory McIlroy had to settle for a par on the par-5 ninth at the PGA Championship, but entered the back nine with a two-shot lead over the leader.
Asked what kept him from approaching Rye’s total wins, McIlroy said: “I think it was not getting birdies on the two par-5s and bogeying the drivable par-4 13th.”
“For me, I felt like I played the golf I needed to play the rest of the way. Birdie on the two par 5s and turn those five into threes on the 13th and the day would have been completely different.”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Rory McIlroy ejects a fan after being heckled on the 16th hole of the final round of the PGA Championship
“Looking back at today’s round, I think those three holes (sacrificed) me.”
McIlroy’s seventh tie matched his best at a PGA Championship since winning the Wanamaker Trophy for the second time in 2014, and the Northern Irishman bounced back from an opening-round 74 to finish in the top 10 for the 35th time in his major career.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Let’s take a look back at Rory McIlroy’s best shots from his last two PGA Championship wins.
“I figured some things out after Thursday and played some good golf the last three rounds,” McIlroy added. “I felt like I probably let some guys out on Friday and Saturday and again today, so maybe I didn’t get the most out of the round.
“I played better and it gave me a chance. That’s really all I needed after the start. I regret not being able to take advantage of the three holes today. That’s the difference between (tying for seventh) and having a realistic chance to win.”
What’s next?
The PGA Tour heads to the CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch in Texas, where Scheffler returns as the defending champion. Early coverage starts at 12.45pm on Thursday on Sky Sports+ and 5pm on Sky Sports Golf.
McIlroy will take two weeks off and return at the Memorial Tournament from June 4-7, but his next men’s major will be the US Open at Sinek Hills from June 18-21, both broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf. Get and stream Sky Sports without a contract.
