Xander Schauffele made history during the first round of the 2024 PGA Championship by shooting a record-breaking 9-under 62, the lowest round in the tournament’s 106-year history. He had nine pars and nine birdies, playing bogey-free on the opening day of the event at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Schauffele had 12 one-putts throughout the day and gained 4.1 strokes putting, the best in the field. Despite his impressive performance, Schauffele remains focused on the remainder of the tournament and understands the importance of staying grounded after just one day of play.
Schauffele, who was born in La Jolla, California, has a diverse background with four nationalities in his heritage. His father, Stefan Schauffele, was a talented athlete in Germany before his dreams were cut short by a car accident. Xander Schauffele went on to achieve his family’s Olympic aspirations by winning the gold medal in the men’s individual stroke play competition at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a historic achievement for the United States in golf. He is competing in his eighth PGA Championship this year and has yet to secure a major championship victory, with his best finishes coming in the Masters Tournament and the British Open.
After the first round of play, Schauffele holds a three-shot lead over Tony Finau and Sahith Theegala, while last year’s winner, Brooks Koepka, shot a 4-under round and Scottie Scheffler, the 2024 Masters winner, also shot a 4-under. Schauffele remains focused on his performance and is not letting the record-breaking round affect his mindset going into the rest of the tournament. Despite his success on the golf course, Schauffele remains humble and recognizes the need to maintain consistency throughout the event to have a chance at victory.
As the No. 3-ranked golfer in the world, Schauffele has 10 professional wins to his name and has been recognized as the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2016-17. Throughout his career, he has achieved impressive results in various major championships, including a tied-for-second finish in both the Masters Tournament and the British Open. His highest finish in the U.S. Open is tied for third place, showcasing his consistency and talent across different elite tournaments. Schauffele’s success on the golf course is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and skill as a professional golfer.
Schauffele’s remarkable round at the 2024 PGA Championship has already captured headlines and put him in the record books with his historic 62. His mastery of the course, especially on the greens, has propelled him to the top of the leaderboard after the first day of play. With three more rounds to go, Schauffele will look to build on his impressive start and maintain his position among the top competitors in the tournament. As a seasoned golfer with experience in major championships, Schauffele’s performance in the 2024 PGA Championship will be closely watched by fans and fellow competitors alike as he vies for his first major title.
