Since 1990, when the PGA Tour established the Participant of the 12 months Award—now referred to as the Jack Nicklaus Award—eight gamers have received a number of main championships in a given season.
Tiger Woods completed this feat on 4 events, profitable a number of majors in 2000, 2002, 2005, and 2006. Xander Schauffele most not too long ago did so this previous season, profitable the PGA Championship at Valhalla and The Open at Royal Troon. These two wins launched his profession into a special stratosphere, as Schauffele additional cemented himself as among the finest golfers on the planet. He additionally grew to become one of many prime gamers of his technology.
Earlier than this season, 10 gamers received no less than two majors in the identical calendar 12 months courting again to 1990. In all 10 situations, that particular person received the Jack Nicklaus Award, as determined by fellow tour professionals by a vote. The entire record follows under:
- 1994: Nick Value
- 1998: Mark O’Meara
- 2000: Tiger Woods
- 2002: Tiger Woods
- 2005: Tiger Woods
- 2006: Tiger Woods
- 2008: Padraig Harrington
- 2014: Rory McIlroy
- 2015: Jordan Spieth
- 2018: Brooks Koepka
That mildew will break this 12 months, and Schauffele is aware of it.
“I imply, it appears I have to have the most effective 12 months ever,” Schauffele mentioned when requested what he must do to win the Participant of the 12 months subsequent 12 months.
“I simply had the most effective 12 months of my profession and wasn’t actually shut. I’m fairly content material with how I performed and the place my recreation is at. If I can carry on doing what I’m doing, I’d be more than happy.”
The PGA Tour will presumably rejoice Scottie Scheffler as its Participant of the 12 months for a 3rd straight season. Scheffler went on a historic tear starting in early March at Bay Hill, profitable the Arnold Palmer Invitational after which The Gamers in back-to-back weeks. He went on to win at Augusta Nationwide, Harbour City, Muirfield Village, and TPC River Highlands, thus changing into the primary participant to win six instances earlier than Jul. 1 since Arnold Palmer did so in 1962. He capped off his season with a dominant efficiency at East Lake, capturing his first FedEx Cup title throughout Labor Day weekend. Scheffler additionally added a Gold Medal at The Olympics in between, because of a historic Sunday cost at Le Golf Nationwide that will probably be highlighted within the historical past books ceaselessly.
Schauffele, in the meantime, didn’t win exterior of his two main triumphs. However he made each minimize in 2024. He had a presence on the entrance web page of the leaderboard seemingly each week. He completed among the many top-10 in 15 of the 21 occasions he performed on the PGA Tour, together with all 4 majors in 2024—the one one to take action. Scheffler can’t say the identical. Due to his putter not exhibiting up, the previous Texas Longhorn tied for forty first at Pinehurst No. 2. Schauffele tied for seventh that week, ending 5 again of Bryson DeChambeau, so no less than he can maintain that towards the World No. 1.
But, regardless of making historical past associated to the Participant of the 12 months award, Schauffele wouldn’t change a factor about this previous season.
“It was a dream come true,” Schauffele mentioned forward of this week’s ZOZO Championship.
“Successful two majors in a season is, you already know, you kind of dream of that stuff, and for me, having the ability to do it is extremely particular. So I’ll all the time bear in mind 2024.”
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. You’ll want to take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.
