Early Friday morning at 7:28 a.m., Scottie Scheffler found himself in a situation far removed from the fairways of Valhalla Golf Club.

Confined to a Louisville jail cell, Scheffler watched the minutes tick away towards his tee time, undoubtedly feeling the pressure mount.

By Saturday morning, the PGA had arranged for a chaplain, Brad Payne, to accompany him—someone Scheffler would soon find invaluable during his tumultuous third round.

Unexpected Caddie Change

Scottie Scheffler, the World No. 1 golfer, faced another significant change before his third round of the PGA Championship.

His regular caddie, Ted Scott, had to leave abruptly to attend his daughter’s high school graduation in Louisiana.

This absence could have been the biggest disruption to Scheffler’s championship run—if not for his unexpected detour to the Louisville jail on Friday.

In Scott’s place, Scheffler’s close friend and PGA chaplain Brad Payne stepped in, bringing spiritual support and friendship to a challenging day on the course.

Early Round Struggles

Scheffler, known for his calm and composed demeanor on the PGA Tour, seemed unshaken by his jail ordeal. However, the course told a different story.

His round began with a double-bogey six at the second hole, followed by a wayward tee shot into the woods on the third.

This misstep required Scheffler to hop a fence for a penalty drop, resulting in another bogey. The fourth hole saw him drop yet another shot, leaving him in a precarious position.

A Fight to Recover

For the remainder of his round, Scheffler was in damage control mode. Despite five birdies, he could not avoid three additional bogeys, finishing two-over for the day and seven-under for the tournament.

This put him eight strokes behind the leaders, marking his first over-par score in 42 rounds on the PGA Tour—a streak just ten shy of Tiger Woods’ legendary run in 2000 and 2001.

Competitors Seizing Opportunities

Meanwhile, the field saw its own dramas unfold. Xander Schauffele, who was wary of Scheffler’s potential resurgence, faced intense competition from Collin Morikawa.

Starting just one shot behind Schauffele, Morikawa managed to leapfrog into the lead with a dramatic birdie putt at the 15th hole.

Schauffele, haunted by memories of previous near-misses, including a collapse at the Wells Fargo Championship, saw his short-game falter, resulting in a double bogey.

A Battle at the Top

Despite these setbacks, Schauffele fought back, trading birdies with Morikawa over the final two holes.

They finished the round tied at 15-under, with Sahith Theegala trailing by just one stroke. This fierce competition set the stage for an exciting final day.

New Contenders Emerge

Adding to the excitement, Shane Lowry surged into contention with a spectacular round. Matching Schauffele’s opening round of 62, Lowry joined Viktor Hovland and Bryson DeChambeau in a tie for fourth place at 13-under.

DeChambeau, in particular, electrified the crowd by holing out from the 18th green for an eagle finish.

Hometown Hero and American Hopes

Louisville’s own Justin Thomas provided local fans with plenty to cheer about. His four-under 67 performance saw him climb into the top-10, maintaining hope for a homegrown champion.

DeChambeau led the charge among the Americans, displaying impressive skill and resilience.

Conclusion

Scottie Scheffler’s third round at the PGA Championship was a rollercoaster of emotions and challenges.

From a jail cell to the golf course, his resilience and faith were put to the test. With unexpected turns and fierce competition, the tournament at Valhalla Golf Club promises a thrilling conclusion.

As Scheffler and his competitors prepare for the final round, golf fans worldwide remain on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating who will emerge victorious.

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