Scottie Scheffler has had an impressive, if frustrating, season on the PGA Tour, finishing as the runner-up five times in 2024—more than any other player since 1983, according to the New York Post. His performance in a recent tournament saw him shoot 8-under 63 on Sunday, including a strong stretch of birdies on holes 10 through 12; However, Scheffler came up three shots short of winner Jackson Koivun, marking his fifth top-two finish of the year. According to PGA Tour records, Scheffler has nearly matched a historic season, with analysts noting that he could have earned several wins if not for slim margins.

Challenges of Playing with Scheffler

Golf analyst Johnson Wagner described the experience of playing alongside Scheffler as “firm.” Wagner noted that when Brian Harman played with Scheffler on Saturday, he had to adjust his pace because Scheffler was consistently teeing off second on the back nine. Wagner explained that Scheffler’s dominance on the course caused other players and fans to move ahead, sometimes forcing Harman to step back from tee shots due to the crowd’s proximity. Wagner compared the pressure of Scheffler’s play to that of Tiger Woods, noting the impact on both players and spectators, while “It’s people either swarming the greens or scattering,” Wagner said. “But the crowds were amazing.”

McIlroy’s POY Eligibility in Question

Wagner also weighed in on Rory McIlroy’s chances of earning the PGA Tour’s Player of the Year (POY) award this season, according to GolfMagic, and McIlroy, who won the Masters, is a contender for the Jack Nicklaus Award, but Wagner questioned whether he qualifies based on his limited tournament participation. McIlroy has only played 14 events this season, falling short of the 15 required to maintain PGA Tour membership; Wagner pointed out the irony: “It’s shocking” that McIlroy might be considered for POY despite his sparse schedule. Wagner suggested that if McIlroy wins the FedEx Cup, he could still receive the award, but noted that his stats may not reflect a full season of play.

PGA Tour Membership and Structural Changes

McIlroy has been open about his desire to reduce his tournament schedule, a decision he reaffirmed after the 2024 Open Championship. However, he will avoid penalties due to a clause in the PGA Tour’s handbook that allows players to remain in good standing even with fewer events played. Wagner also noted that McIlroy’s reduced presence on the tour has coincided with broader changes in the tour’s structure, including a planned two-tier system set to begin in 2028. McIlroy has described the PGA Tour as being in a “state of flux,” which may further impact how players approach their schedules in the coming years.