Staff picks: Will anyone catch Scottie Scheffler on Sunday?

Check in to GOLF’s Tour Confidential every Sunday night for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport. This week, with the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club, we’ll hit one key topic every night.

Scottie Scheffler shot 65 on Saturday at Quail Hollow to vault up the PGA Championship leaderboard, and he enters Sunday 11 under and leading Alex Noren (eight under), Davis Riley and J.T. Poston (seven under) and three others (including Jon Rahm) at six under. Does anyone have a chance of catching the top-ranked player in the world?

Jack Hirsh, associate equipment editor (@JR_HIRSHey): Nope, this is over. Scheffler won this tournament when he hit the tee shot on 14 to 3 feet. That was reminiscent of the eagle on 13 during Saturday of the 2024 Masters. I say Scheffler wins by five or more.

James Colgan, news and features editor (@jamescolgan26): I literally dare you to pick anyone other than Scottie Scheffler, GOLF editors, because yes, he is by FAR the favorite. But since I dared you, I’m gonna try it out for size: Jon Rahm wins by hunting down Scottie Scheffler and birthing a second major rivalry in pro golf (behind Rory/Bryson).

Dylan Dethier, senior writer (@dylan_dethier): There will be multiple moments on Sunday where it gets interesting, but Scottie Scheffler is going to win. I admit I’m intrigued by the idea of a chase-down from Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau or the resurgent Davis Riley, but the way Scheffler finished off Saturday’s round said it all. Proper player. Crosswind? Divot? Major championship pressure? Meh, meh and meh. As long as the Charlotte Police Department lets the World No. 1 onto property without incident, this thing should be over.

Josh Sens, senior writer, (@JoshSens): For a good part of Saturday, it was shaping up to be an interesting Sunday. But the 17th hole put an end to that by extracting a bogey from Rahm and a double from Bryson, the two other most-imposing contenders. When Scheffler then made birdie on that same par-3, the inevitable became clear. This will not be like Masters Sunday last month. Scheffler will be spectacular and boring as he cruises to a win. There just isn’t enough firepower/experience right behind him for it to go any other way.

Sean Zak, senior writer (@Sean_Zak): Jon Rahm wins. Scottie shoots two over on the front nine while Rahm cards 32. Tie game. Then Rahm makes eagle on the 15th en route to a one-shot win. (We’re admittedly grasping for anything but a Scheffler win here. But this thing is far from over.)

Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): Yes, they all have chances. But no, no one will catch him.