Xander Schauffele winning omens on his side at PGA Championship

The PGA Championship at Aronimink is underway, with a seven-way tie for first heading into the second round. Right behind that group is 2024 PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele, who fired an opening round 68. The ESPN broadcast put out a stat that shows Schauffele could be headed toward the winner’s circle again.

Thursday was the first time Schauffele shot 68 or better in 1st round of a major since the 2024 PGA, which he won. When he won the 2024 Open Championship, he shot a two-under 69 on Thursday. Since then, an injury and some poor play have cost him opportunities in major championships.

Schauffele had never won a major championship before the 2024 PGA at Valhalla in Louisville. That week, more famous for the Scottie Scheffler arrest, finally saw him break through on the big stage. That led him to the big comeback at Royal Troon two months later.

On Thursday, Schauffele started with three birdies in his first four holes. Starting on the more difficult back nine, he had a chance to go really low. But Aronimink caught up to him, handing him three bogeys to go along with two birdies for the rest of the day. Schauffele is far from out of it, as the PGA Championship leaderboard is jammed up at the top.

Of the seven members of the tie at the top, only Scottie Scheffler and Martin Kaymer have previously won major championships. Kaymer’s were many years ago, and his LIV Golf finishes do not show good form coming into the tournament. The rest of the group does not have the experience in the PGA Championship that Schauffele does.

Schauffele tees off at 1:54 p.m. Eastern on Friday. He is playing alongside Brooks Koepka, who shot one under on Thursday, and Tyrell Hatton, who is two over. Can Schauffele snag his third major win?

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