Scottie Scheffler secured his 20th PGA Tour win in just 151 career starts at the 2026 American Express, reinforcing his status as the world No. 1 and one of golf’s brightest young stars. Entering the final round trailing Si Woo Kim by a single stroke, Scheffler fired a flawless 66 on Pete Dye’s Stadium Course to finish at 27 under par. His four-stroke margin over a group of challengers, including Jason Day, Ryan Gerard, Matt McCarty, and Andrew Putnam, reflected a commanding performance. Putnam emerged as Scheffler’s closest competitor during the back nine, but Scheffler’s consistency proved insurmountable.
The victory is significant in multiple ways. Not only is it the earliest calendar-year win of his PGA Tour career, but it also marks Scheffler’s seventh triumph in his last 13 starts. He previously captured six wins in his last 12 tournaments in 2025, highlighting a remarkable streak of dominance. Additionally, Scheffler becomes the first player since Rory McIlroy at the 2021 CJ CUP to reach 20 PGA Tour wins and only the 40th golfer in history to accomplish the feat.
Winning 20 events in just 151 starts places Scheffler behind only Tiger Woods (95) and Jack Nicklaus (127) in terms of career speed to reach the milestone. He joins Woods and Nicklaus as the only players to claim 20 PGA Tour victories and four major championships before turning 30. Following a remarkable 2024 season with nine wins—including seven on the PGA Tour, an Olympic gold medal, and a Hero World Challenge defense—and a 2025 campaign highlighted by two major titles despite an offseason hand injury, Scheffler appears primed to surpass previous achievements in 2026, just 72 holes into the season.
Scottie Scheffler (PGA Tour)Scheffler’s Flawless Final Round Sets Early Tone for Historic 2026 Season
Scheffler’s dominance on Sunday began immediately. After a modest opening hole the day prior, he hit the 1st green in regulation and sank a 4-foot birdie putt to catch Kim instantly. From there, he surged with precision, converting four birdies from inside five feet across his first seven holes and adding another from 10 feet before the turn.
The back nine showcased Scheffler’s control and strategic acumen. Birdies came from two-foot putts on holes 11 and 12, followed by a wedge to a difficult back pin on No. 14, converted from four feet. As Scheffler’s lead grew, the focus shifted from whether he would win to how dominant the margin would be. His clinical approach suggested that in 2026, the question may not be which events Scheffler will win, but rather which tournaments he will not.
Notable Contenders Shine Despite Scheffler’s Dominance at the 2026 American Express
T2. Ryan Gerard (-23): Gerard continued his strong form with a second-place finish. Fresh off a runner-up at the Sony Open, he extended his streak with three consecutive runner-up finishes since starting in Mauritius last fall on the DP World Tour. Gerard excelled on and around the greens, complementing his natural ball-striking ability. Confidence is clearly building, and further victories appear imminent.
T6. Si Woo Kim (-22): Kim started the final round strongly, giving himself frequent birdie opportunities on the front nine. However, a costly double bogey on the par-5 8th and missed early chances derailed his challenge. Despite the setback, his ball-striking form positions him to contend in future tournaments.
T18. Blades Brown (-19): The 18-year-old demonstrated poise alongside Scheffler and Kim in the final group. After an early birdie, a mis-hit into water on the par-5 5th led to a double bogey, ultimately dropping him out of contention. The experience gained at this level will be valuable as he progresses in his career.
T18. Will Zalatoris (-19): Returning from a long layoff since last spring’s PGA Championship, Zalatoris impressed with a 7-under 65 start and a final-round 64. Strong ball-striking and consistency in greens in regulation suggest that he remains a formidable contender in scoring-heavy tournaments. He credited recent putting improvements with Blair Phillips for his progress.
T18. Rickie Fowler (-19): Fowler built momentum from the prior season’s FedEx Cup Playoffs, maintaining consistency despite equipment changes. After a rocky Thursday, he played the final 54 holes bogey-free, displaying the value of clean scoring on a challenging course. While more scoring opportunities need to be converted, his performance signals that Fowler remains a competitive force.
Scottie Scheffler’s commanding win at the American Express demonstrates not only his current supremacy but also the potential for a historic 2026 campaign. With impeccable putting, strategic course management, and an already impressive career trajectory, Scheffler is shaping up to dominate the PGA Tour for the foreseeable future. The final-round 66, combined with a 27-under total, sets the tone for a season that could see him challenge records previously set by the game’s legends.
