As we enter August, the traditional golf season is nearing its climax with the main tours close to crowning their number one golfers.
With all four Majors and the Olympics concluded, most players are now gearing up for the upcoming FedExCup playoffs on the PGA Tour.
The DP World Tour still has a few months left as it approaches its new-look ‘back nine’ series, but LIV Golf is also just weeks away from their final event in Dallas in mid-September,
Given these developments, it’s an opportune moment to assess who might be the current player of the year and whether anyone can make a late-season claim for the title. Let’s take a look.
Xander Schauffele
It’s say to say Schauffele has finally fulfilled his potential in 2024 with two emphatic Major victories, first at the PGA Championship then at the Open Championship in Scotland.
The 30-year-old has always looked a worthy Major winner with his swing, but for some time prior to the triumph at Valhalla Golf Club, many onlookers were wondering if he would ever get it done.
However, he blew those doubts out the water with a -21 winning score at the year’s second Major – the best score to par in Major championship history. He also became the first player to shoot 62 in a Major and win.
The stats for Schauffele’s season don’t stop there, with his claim for the player of the year award enhanced by his T-7 and T-8 finishes in the other two Majors. It’s been an unbelievably good season for the World No. 2.
If it wasn’t for the utter dominance from his fellow countryman who’s up next in this list, this arguably wouldn’t even be a debate.
Scottie Scheffler
This award would have been somewhat of a tighter contest has Scheffler not clinched Olympic gold last week. But, unsurprisingly given the year he’s had, he shot 62 on Sunday to become the champion.
That sweet victory at Le Golf National was the cherry on the cake for 28-year-old who has enjoyed yet another sublime year which has seen him win seven times, including a triumph at the Masters as well as a host of other high-profile events.
The American has nearly double the amount of world ranking points (827) that Schauffele has (476), and because of that he looks destined to remain the World No. 1 for a long time.
Not forgetting the fact he’s become a father this year, along with a brief stint in a jail cell prior to his round at the PGA Championship. It’s been an action-packed few months, and he’ll be hoping for more success on the PGA Tour this month.
Bryson DeChambeau
An outsider but a player of a worthy mention who has stolen the headlines this year for his performances on the course, as well as his antics off it.
The 30-year-old won the U.S. Open with one of the best up-and-downs you will ever see, and with it became a multiple Major winner. People will say McIlroy lost the U.S. Open, but DeChambeau still had to execute the shots.
And despite being a LIV Golfer, he’s also managed to return into the top 10 players in the world with a second place at the PGA Championship and T-6 at Augusta helping propel him upwards.
But arguably just as eye-catching as his performances in the Majors is the YouTube video he released playing golf with Donald Trump. At the time of writing, it has 10 million views. Wow.
DeChambeau’s brash personality and style of golf may not be for everyone, but he’s a character which this sport desperately needs right now. It’s hard to argue that he’s great for game.
Verdict
As it currently stands, there’s only one winner and that’s the current World No. 1 Scheffler.
It’s an incredible statement to make, but Schauffele, a man who has won two Majors this year, has not been the best performer of 2024.
He’s had a stunning year, but he’s been pipped to the post by a player who has had a more dominant year in several other big events. But could it change? Yes, possibly.
If Schauffele won the next three events on the PGA Tour to win the FedExCup then he could oust Scheffler from our current top spot, but that would be some going. We’ll see!
