Scottie Scheffler Claims 20th PGA Tour Victory, Cementing Place Among Golf Greats

Posted : 26 January 2026

World number one Scottie Scheffler has made a commanding start to his 2026 season by claiming his 20th PGA Tour title, further cementing his status among the sport’s elite. The victory at the American Express in California came by four shots over the field, showcasing his precision and consistency as he posted a closing six-under 66 to finish at 27 under par.

Scheffler is now the second-fastest player in PGA Tour history to reach 20 wins in terms of days, the third fastest in events played, and the third youngest to reach the milestone. He achieved the landmark 1,442 days after his first victory at the 2022 WM Phoenix Open. By comparison, Tiger Woods reached the same mark in 1,351 days, while Jack Nicklaus did so in 127 events. Scheffler’s 151st PGA Tour appearance earned him a lifetime exemption on the American circuit, making him the first player since Rory McIlroy in 2021 to hit the 20-win mark.

At 29, Scheffler joins Woods and Nicklaus as the only golfers to win 20 PGA Tour events and four majors before turning 30. His recent victory also marked another milestone: he becomes the third player, after Woods and McIlroy, to surpass $100 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour, an achievement accelerated by today’s higher prize money and fewer events. McIlroy has earned $107.9 million over 273 starts, while Woods’ total of $120.9 million came in 378 events.

Scheffler’s performance on Sunday was defined by seven birdies that helped him break away from overnight leader Si-Woo Kim of South Korea. A double bogey on the 17th, after finding water, prevented him from reaching 30 under — the first golfer to do so in 16 years at the tournament. He finished four strokes ahead of fellow Americans Ryan Gerard (65), Matt McCarty (68), Andrew Putnam (68), and Jason Day (64), who all ended at 23 under.

Reflecting on the win, Scheffler said: “It’s pretty wild. It’s been a great start to my career and I’ve had some nice wins out there. Going into the season, I focused on doing the things I needed to do to be prepared. I’ll go home, get some rest, and repeat that approach.”

The tournament also highlighted the rise of young talent. 18-year-old Blades Brown, who was aiming to become the second-youngest PGA Tour winner, faded to joint-18th on 19 under after trailing Kim by one shot following Saturday’s play.

With this victory, Scheffler continues to build a legacy comparable to golf legends, combining consistency, skill, and remarkable milestones early in his career.

Scottie Scheffler Claims 20th PGA Tour Victory, Cementing Place Among Golf Greats

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