Davis Riley Aims for First Major Title at 2025 PGA Championship

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (AP) — Davis Riley, a promising golfer and two-time All-American from Alabama, enters the final round of the 2025 PGA Championship tied for third place. As of Sunday, he trails leader Scottie Scheffler by four strokes, aiming for his first major title and a successful conclusion to a challenging season.

Riley, 27, has faced ups and downs over the past year. He began 2025 poorly, including an 80 in his first tournament and a series of missed cuts. However, he found his rhythm as the season progressed, finishing strong in various tournaments leading up to the major.

“It was a pretty big struggle to start the year,” Riley said after Saturday’s round. “There were a couple tweaks I made in my swing trying to get back to some of my old DNA.” His adjustments included embracing his natural ball flight, opting for a draw with his irons rather than focusing on hitting perfectly straight shots.

Riley acknowledged the pressure of chasing a win against top competitors, such as Scheffler, who is seeking his third major victory. “I’d love to be standing on 18 green holding that trophy,” he said. “But there’s a lot of golf left, and I’m just looking forward to the challenge.”

With the final round approaching, Riley’s supporters await a potentially defining moment in his career. He aims to transform his recent success into a major championship win, proving his resilience and skill on the big stage.