Scottie SCHEFFLER

Transitioning to collegiate golf, Scheffler excelled at the University of Texas, helping the team win three Big 12 championships and advance to the match play finals of the NCAA Championship three times—winning Freshman of the Year along the way. He made two appearances at the US Open, missing the cut in 2016 before finishing tied for 27th in 2017 to win the low amateur prize.

The amateur sensation turned professional in late 2018. In his first full year on the Korn Ferry Tour, he won three titles to finish atop the points list and earn a PGA Tour card for the 2020 season.

August 2020 was a momentous month for Scheffler as he finished tied for fourth at the PGA Championship before shooting a 59 at the Northern Trust, the 12th sub-60 round in PGA history. He was named PGA Tour Rookie of the Year and his consistent performances earned him a spot in USA's victorious 2021 Ryder Cup team.

Breakout 2022 season

With Bubba Watson's former caddie Ted Scott on the bag, Scheffler had a 2022 to remember. In February, he clinched his first PGA Tour title at the Phoenix Open and continued in the winning habit. In the next two months, he had further wins at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the WGC Match Play, and a first major triumph at the Masters where he beat Rory McIlroy by three shots.

Those wins saw him go top of the world rankings and, while he was unable to win again in 2022 and lost his number one ranking at the year's end, he was still named 2022 PGA Tour Player of the Year. His ball-striking was statistically on a par with Tiger Woods' in his annus mirabilis of 2000 with just Scheffler's putting letting him down on occasion.

In 2023, Scheffler retained his Phoenix Open title before securing a first victory in golf's unofficial fifth major, the PLAYERS Championship at Sawgrass. But it was in 2024 that Scheffler really took his game to another level.

Not long after McIlroy suggested he should try a mallet putter, Scheffler tried one for the Arnold Palmer Invitational. His touch on the green was transformed as he holed every putt from inside 15 feet to regain the title. He then retained his PLAYERS crown despite a neck injury which stopped him swinging the club at full speed.

After a close second at the Texas Houston Open, Scheffler won the Masters at Augusta by four strokes from Ludvig Åberg to claim his second Green Jacket.

Scheffler's hot streak continued with victory at the RBC Heritage making it four wins in five tournaments.

An Olympic debut to remember

With a big lead in the world rankings and his form showing no sign of deserting him, the American arrived for his Olympic debut at Paris 2024 as one of the favourites for the gold medal.

Seemingly unfazed by any external pressure or expectations, Scheffler pulled off a 9-under 62 to earn his first (and USA’s third) Olympic gold medal in the men’s individual competition.

Following the competition, Scheffler spoke to Olympics.com about what becoming an Olympic champion meant to him:

“It's tough to compare accomplishments, but an Olympic gold medal is definitely going to be one of my special memories when I look back on my career.”