We envy our colleagues who are enjoying the Scottish links courses in July, but we’re not too excited about the 3M Open. Instead, let’s talk about the PGA Tour Player of the Year race that has become a conversation between Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele. Schauffele’s recent win at the Open Championship has made him a contender after being known as the best player to never win a major. While performance in majors is significant, there are other factors to consider, such as Scheffler’s six wins compared to Schauffele’s two, including prestigious events like the Players and the Masters.
The debate between the two players will continue as they head to the Olympics and the Tour Championship. The decision for Player of the Year is based on a PGA Tour member vote, and statistics like strokes gained total show Scheffler leading by a significant margin. Despite Schauffele’s recent major wins, he acknowledges that Scheffler is still ahead in the bigger picture.
In the end, it will be up to their peers to decide who deserves the Player of the Year award. Past winners like Patrick Cantlay and Scheffler himself have been chosen despite not winning a major. The discussion may lean towards Scheffler for a third consecutive year, but Schauffele’s achievements should not go unnoticed.
Looking ahead to the Ryder Cup, Keegan Bradley’s selection of Webb Simpson as vice-captain aligns with his strategy of bringing in voices that resonate with the younger players. The next vice-captain pick could potentially be Rickie Fowler, who, despite his current ranking, brings experience and a positive influence to the team. Fowler’s presence could add value to the team dynamic, especially given his popularity among fans and players alike.
In the end, the decision for Player of the Year and Ryder Cup vice-captain will come down to various factors, including performance, experience, and team dynamics. Both Schauffele and Scheffler have proven themselves on the course, but it will be the votes of their peers that ultimately determine their accolades.
