Xander Schauffele’s victory at the PGA Championship not only earned him a major title but also a prized congratulatory message from none other than golf legend Tiger Woods.

Triumphing at Valhalla, Schauffele led from start to finish, narrowly defeating Bryson DeChambeau by a single stroke and sinking a six-foot birdie on the final hole that will forever be etched in his memory.

After a string of near misses, the Ryder Cup hero has finally shaken off the ‘nearly man’ tag, showcasing his prodigious talent to secure his place among golf’s greats.

With this major hurdle overcome, Schauffele is now tipped to further expand his trophy cabinet in the years ahead.

Yet, it’s the personal nod from Woods that truly underscores the magnitude of his achievement.

“He texted me, you know, and I think he is right-he’s been through it all himself,” an elated Schauffele recounted to SubPar.

“But he texted me something along the lines of, ‘You know, all those times you were close, I think that hardened you for this moment. And I’m proud of you. It’s incredible. I couldn’t be more proud of you.’ That was an awesome text I got from TW.”

Despite previously being burdened with the label of golf’s nearly man due to his 11 top-10 finishes without clinching a major, Schauffele’s composure on the climactic 72nd hole putt was a testament to his mental fortitude and skill under pressure.

“So much is racing through your head ‘If you make this you win, if you make this you change your life, this is what you’ve wanted your whole life’. I was thinking so much – while going through my routine and the longer I take, the more stuff I think.”

Victorious at Valhalla, Schauffele revealed that his desire for further success has only been fuelled by his recent triumph. Indeed, the golfer now finds himself among the favourites to claim victories at both the US Open and The Open Championship at Pinehurst No.2 and Royal Troon later this summer.

“I’m motivated more, not that I wasn’t motivated more,” admitted Schauffele following his Sunday victory. “This is like a drug and you just want to keep having the feeling. I’ve been fortunate. I think my favourite feeling in golf is to be in the hunt, regardless of the result.”

Schauffele continued: “That rush when you’re in contention coming down the stretch is why I play golf and why I love sport in general. I’ve had a lot of that feeling and the result of winning is awesome, but getting in the hunt at these big tournaments is something that’s awesome.”

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Source: Los Angeles Times