On December 15, the PGA Tour announced its Player of the Year (Jack Nicklaus Award), and it’s none other than Scottie Scheffler. With PGA Tour members voting him the winner for a fourth straight season, second player after Tiger Woods.

Scheffler edged out Rory McIlroy, who won his second Players Championship and the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam; FedEx Cup champion Tommy Fleetwood, and three-time winner Ben Griffin.

The shortlist for the Jack Nicklaus Award was announced on December 3, featuring four players whose seasons stood out through wins, consistency, and career-defining moments. Voting was conducted by PGA Tour members who competed in at least 15 events during the season, with ballots closing on December 12.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler separated himself statistically after a delayed start caused by a hand injury. His first victory arrived in May at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, where he tied the PGA Tour 72-hole score record. That win sparked a dominant stretch, including a PGA Championship victory two weeks later, followed by wins at The Memorial and The Open Championship.

Scheffler also claimed the BMW Championship and the Procore Championship, finishing the season with six victories and control of the FedEx Cup regular-season points race.

“Scottie’s consistent level of success has been nothing short of spectacular as he continues to chase history on the PGA Tour,  and we’re excited to see what he will deliver in 2026,” said PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp in a statement announcing the award.

While Rory McIlroy opened the season strong by winning the The Players Championship and the Masters, where he completed the career Grand Slam. Fleetwood captured his first PGA Tour win at the Tour Championship on Aug 24, 2025, to secure the FedEx Cup.

Where Ben Griffin had a strong Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Charles Schwab Challenge, and World Wide Technology Championship during a breakout 2025 season.

Tiger Woods Praises Scottie Scheffler’s Game

Tiger Woods made the remarks earlier in the 2025 season during a media interaction, speaking about Scottie Scheffler as comparisons between eras intensified. 

“What he’s doing on the golf course is just incredible,” Woods said. “The consistency day in and day out, the strategy, how he attacks the golf course.”

 Woods added, “He doesn’t have lapses in a round, he’s there present for all 18 holes,” calling Scheffler’s ability to win repeatedly against elite fields “something you just don’t see very often.”

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Joyita Das