Scottie Scheffler secured the prestigious Jack Nicklaus Award as PGA Tour player of the year for the third consecutive time, a feat only previously achieved by Tiger Woods. Scheffler's remarkable season was highlighted by his overwhelming victory in the player of the year vote, garnering an impressive 91% support from his peers.
Throughout the year, Scheffler amassed an impressive collection of victories, including a historic Olympic gold medal where he shot a remarkable 62 on the final day. His seven PGA Tour wins featured a second Masters title, becoming the first repeat winner of The Players Championship, and claiming the FedEx Cup by winning the Tour Championship. Notably, Scheffler triumphed in signature events against formidable competition at Bay Hill, Memorial, Hilton Head, and Hartford.
Despite Xander Schauffele's exceptional achievement of winning two majors in a single year (PGA Championship and British Open), Scheffler's dominant performance set a standard that was impossible to ignore. Schauffele became the first player to win two majors in a year and not be voted player of the year since the award's inception in 1990.
Scottie Scheffler's remarkable season drew comparisons to golf legend Tiger Woods, particularly in his statistical achievements. Scheffler's seven wins in a season mirrored Woods' 2007 record, and he held the No. 1 ranking throughout the year, a feat last accomplished by Woods in 2009.
Despite the accolades and comparisons, Scheffler remains humble, focusing on personal improvement and enjoying the competition. His consistent success was acknowledged by PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, who praised Scheffler's ability to excel on the biggest stages against the world's best players.
In addition to the Jack Nicklaus Award, Scheffler also clinched the Byron Nelson Award for the second consecutive year for having the lowest scoring average. Noteworthy was his streak of 28 consecutive rounds under par at the start of the year, showcasing his exceptional consistency.
While Scheffler's season was marred by a peculiar incident involving an arrest at the PGA Championship, where charges were later dropped, his on-course performance remained stellar. His dominance in key statistical categories, such as strokes gained off the tee and approach to the green, solidified his status as a top performer in the sport.
Furthermore, Scheffler set a new PGA Tour earnings record, amassing over $29.2 million in prize money from 18 official tournaments, in addition to substantial bonuses for winning the FedEx Cup and leading the regular season.
Scottie Scheffler's exceptional year in golf not only earned him prestigious accolades but also solidified his position as one of the sport's elite players, leaving a lasting mark on the PGA Tour.
AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf