Scheffler’s PGA Masterclass and Ryder Cup Buzz

Welcome back, Duffers.

Welcome to this week’s Duffer’s Digest, where we unpack the electric storylines from the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow and look ahead to the U.S. Open and Ryder Cup.

Let’s dive into it!

Today’s highlights:

• Scheffler’s Statement: A Third Major and Counting

• Spieth and Thomas Stumble

• LIV Golf’s Major Struggles

• Ryder Cup Watch: Homa, Finau, Bradley, and Koepka

Tournament Recap 🏌️

Scheffler’s Statement: A Third Major and Counting

Scottie Scheffler silenced the skeptics with a commanding five-stroke victory at the PGA Championship, securing his third major title and his first outside the Masters.

Leading by six strokes with two holes to play, Scheffler played conservatively, carding a safe bogey on the 72nd hole to seal the Wanamaker Trophy.

Quail Hollow, a course favoring long-hitting “bombers” with less emphasis on approach play and greenside finesse, didn’t align perfectly with Scheffler’s strengths. Yet, the world No. 1, known for stellar iron play and short-game wizardry rather than elite driving distance, dominated anyway. This win proves he’s a force on any stage, not just Augusta National.

Looking ahead, Scheffler’s skill set is tailor-made for the U.S. Open at Oakmont (June 12–15), where precise approaches and scrambling will be critical. FanDuel’s over/under on Scheffler’s career majors by 2040 is a staggering 9.5, reflecting his dominance at age 28 and a trajectory that could rival golf’s all-time greats.

How many majors will he end up with? The golf world is buzzing with speculation.

Noteworthy Stories ✍🏻

Spieth and Thomas Stumble

The PGA Championship brought high hopes for Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, but both left Quail Hollow disappointed.

Spieth, chasing the career Grand Slam, missed the cut, a setback in his quest to join golf’s elite club (Hogan, Nicklaus, Player, Sarazen, Woods, McIlroy). His inconsistent 2025 season (world ranking: 48th) raises questions about when—or if—he’ll complete the slam.

Similarly, Justin Thomas, riding momentum from a recent RBC Heritage win, also missed the cut despite his history of success at Quail Hollow (2017 PGA Champion).

Both players will need to regroup before Oakmont to stay in the major conversation.

LIV Golf’s Major Struggles

LIV Golf stars Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, both expected to contend, faded on Sunday at the PGA Championship, reigniting debates about LIV’s 54-hole, no-cut format. Critics argue it leaves players underprepared for the grind of 72-hole majors.

DeChambeau, the 2024 U.S. Open champ, called his own iron play “baffling” after a runner-up finish, while Rahm’s late collapse dropped him out of contention.

With LIV events still excluded from OWGR points, their major performances are critical for visibility and Ryder Cup consideration, making these stumbles notable.

Ryder Cup Watch: Homa, Finau, Bradley, and Koepka

The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black (September 26–28) is already a hot topic.

Max Homa and Tony Finau showed flashes of brilliance at Quail Hollow, finishing in the top 20. Their games suit Bethpage’s demanding layout, and if they maintain form, they’re strong candidates for Team USA.

The most intriguing Ryder Cup storyline centers on captain Keegan Bradley. Currently among the top 12 American players, Bradley has stated he won’t use a captain’s pick on himself if he doesn’t auto-qualify. But if his form holds, should he reconsider? A captain playing in the Ryder Cup would be a rare and fascinating subplot.

Meanwhile, Brooks Koepka, long assumed to be a lock for the U.S. team despite his LIV affiliation, struggled at the PGA Championship, following a lackluster 2025 season. His recent poor play casts doubt on his Ryder Cup spot, especially with LIV players’ eligibility still a contentious issue.

What’s Next?

As we turn toward the U.S. Open at Oakmont, Scheffler’s precision and short-game mastery make him the early favorite. The Ryder Cup picture will also clarify as players jockey for position.

Will Spieth and Thomas rebound?

Can LIV stars like DeChambeau and Rahm prove their major mettle?

And will Bradley’s captaincy face a self-selection dilemma?

Stay tuned to Duffer’s Digest for updates, and let us know your thoughts on Scheffler’s major ceiling or the Ryder Cup drama in the comments below!

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Swing easy, Duffers!

— The Duffer’s Crew