Scottie Scheffler’s season-opening victory did more than pad the world No. 1’s résumé. It pushed him into one of the most exclusive statistical neighborhoods in golf — the one long occupied by Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus.
Scheffler’s four-shot win at the American Express on Sunday marked the 20th PGA Tour victory of his career, a milestone that further fuels comparisons to the two defining figures of the modern game. Only Woods reached 20 wins faster in terms of time, and only Woods and Nicklaus did it in fewer starts.
The 29-year-old claimed the £1.236 million ($1.656 million) first prize 1,442 days after his first Tour victory at the WM Phoenix Open in 2022. Woods needed 1,351 days. In terms of appearances, this was Scheffler’s 151st PGA Tour start; Woods reached the mark in 95 events, Nicklaus in 127.
While those numbers underline the gap between eras, Scheffler’s consistency in today’s deeper, more global field continues to stand out. He is the first player since Rory McIlroy in 2021 to reach 20 PGA Tour wins, earning a lifetime exemption in the process.
More striking is the company he now keeps. Scheffler joins Woods and Nicklaus as the only players to win 20 PGA Tour events and four major championships before turning 30. Woods finished his career — for now — with a joint-record 82 Tour wins and 15 majors, while Nicklaus collected 73 Tour titles and a record 18 majors between 1962 and 1986.
Scheffler also became just the third player, after Woods and McIlroy, to surpass $100 million in PGA Tour earnings. A product of modern prize money as much as dominance, Scheffler has crossed that threshold in significantly fewer starts. McIlroy has earned $107,981,766 in 273 Tour events; Woods’ $120,999,166 came across 378 starts.
“It’s pretty wild,” Scheffler said after closing with a six-under 66 to finish at 27 under par. “It’s been a great start to my career, and I’ve had some nice wins out there. It’s been special, and I try not to think about that stuff too much.”
Scheffler surged past overnight leader Si Woo Kim with seven birdies before a double bogey at the par-3 17th — the result of a water ball — ended his chance to become the first player in 16 years to reach 30 under par in the event.
“I was just trying to do the things I needed to do to be prepared,” Scheffler said. “I’m going to go home, get some rest and kind of rinse and repeat.”
He finished four shots clear of a group at 23 under that included Ryan Gerard, Matt McCarty, Andrew Putnam and Australia’s Jason Day. Kim closed with a 72 to finish tied for sixth, while 18-year-old Blades Brown, who had been in contention entering the weekend, faded to a tie for 18th.
Scheffler’s march to 20 wins may not mirror Woods’ pace or Nicklaus’ legacy, but the direction is unmistakable. In an era defined by depth and parity, Scheffler continues to separate himself — and to invite comparisons golf never makes lightly.