PGA Championship Round 3: 5 Moments You Might Have Missed As Scheffler Climbs Back on Top

6 min read

The third day of action at the 2025 PGA Championship did not disappoint. Moving day at Quail Hollow played out like a movie. There were several topsy-turvy performances, with some golfers starting strong only to end in a difficult position, while some golfers started so-so before turning the gear up a notch to finish strong. At the end of the day, though, Scottie Scheffler stood tall, racing to a three-stroke lead over Alex Noren in second place.

After an exciting day of golf, we have narrowed down the top 5 moments from Quail Hollow’s round 3.

1. Scottie Scheffler hits 5 under par on the last 5 holes

If there is a performance that vaults a golfer from a great golfer to the upper echelon of golf, it would be something similar to what Scottie Scheffler did in round 3 at the PGA Championship. Till hole 13, this was just another decent round from the world no. 1. It put him firmly in contention, but it was nothing to write home about. And from 14, Scheffler turned on his Scottie switch, which fans will hope is still on for round 4.

Scheffler went eagle, birdie, par, birdie, birdie to close out the round and inherit a stunning three-stroke lead heading to the last day of action at Quail Hollow. Mamma Mia! That’s how you close out a round. If you want to know how surprising this flurry was, just catch Jon Rahm’s words during his press conference after finishing 6 under par. “Very happy to be in a position again. I don’t know where I’ll be. I’m assuming I’ll be at least one shot back starting tomorrow, but that’s a great position,” Rahm had stated. This was before he got to know about the Scheffler run late in the round. The two-time Masters Champion has put himself in a good position to add the much-needed Wanamaker Trophy to his cabinet.

2. Jon Rahm hits a fan at the PGA Championship, again!

Well, if it happens once, you can understand. Twice, okay, you can chalk it up to a coincidence. But thrice in seven years. Well, now you might be dealing with powers beyond your understanding. Spaniard Jon Rahm hit a spectator who was outside the normal range of play for the third time in the PGA Championship.

During the 11th hole, one of Jon Rahm’s shots moved out of the playing area and struck the head of one of the spectators. The fan was crouched down to escape from the ball, but it was not meant to be. The ball hit his head, rolled onto the green, and strayed to the other side. For his part in the incident, the fan got a signed glove from Jon Rahm. In the 2022 PGA Championship, Rahm’s stray drive hit ESPN reporter Sage Steele right in the middle of her face. Steele had to be hospitalized straightaway, but thankfully made a full recovery without any issue.

Jon Rahm’s approach took a big bounce after hitting a fan. Thankfully, the fan appeared alright and Rahm gifted him an autographed glove. pic.twitter.com/r1kAuchLju

— Golf on CBS (@GolfonCBS) May 17, 2025

Four more years before, at Bellerive, Rahm’s drive shot hit a spectator’s shot and bounced back onto the course in a situation eerily similar to day 3 at 2025. The man was conscious but left with the medics as a precautionary measure. So, safe to say, Rahm better stock up on the signed gloves and balls, because this seems to be a regular trend at the PGA Championship.

3. Rory McIlroy is displeased at the delay horn

Rory McIlroy started the 2025 PGA Championship as one of the favorites to win it. He was coming from a thrilling victory at the Masters and had won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the PLAYERS Championship earlier this year, becoming the only player to win three PGA Tour titles this season. However, he struggled mightily at Quail Hollow, just barely managing to sneak into the cutline with a score of 1 over par.

To have a fresh start on day 3, McIlroy had arrived early, only to be disappointed by the horn that signified there would be a delay in the start. This was because of the compromising weather conditions at Quail Hollow. McIlroy was heavily displeased at the horn, smirking and saying, “F*** off.”  His preparation was all for naught. McIlroy carded a disappointing 1 over par on day 3 and finished at T49. At the end of the round, he skipped the interactions with the media for a third straight day, i.e., he hasn’t talked to the media since the PGA Championship began.

4. Bryson DeChambeau calls golf the worst four-letter word

If I go out and shoot 6- or 7-under, that’s what I’m focused on doing. Not that that’s what’s going to do it, but you never know. But I’m going to shoot as low as I possibly can. As for what transpired Saturday when things didn’t work out as planned, DeChambeau said after Round 3. The two-time US Open winner was at one point firmly in the mix to claim the title, carding 5 under par in 15 holes of play on Day 3.

But a bogey and a double bogey on holes 16 and 17, respectively, pushed him back out to T8 and 6 strokes away from the lead. That frustration was why we got the iconic line from the LIV golfer during the post-round 3 press conference. When asked about his frustration after a bad end to a good day of golf, DeChambeau stated, “That’s why golf is the worst four-letter word in the world.”

5. Scheffler’s coughing fit throws Amanda Balionis off guard

After what was a brilliant round of golf, Scheffler sat with Amanda Balionis to talk about what transpired. However, before he even managed to get a word out of his mouth, Scheffler went on a series of coughs. He quipped that the coughs were a result of nervous energy, stating, “Sorry, I’m nervous” to Balionis. The interview proceeded smoothly after the CBS reporter offered him a bottle of water. Hopefully, this does not transpire on the course on day 4.

Are there any other moments that caught your eye at Quail Hollow on Saturday?

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