Scottie Scheffler’s latest decision could make 2026 even tougher for his rivals

Scottie Scheffler is already an established superstar in the world of golf, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him become even more dominant in 2026.

Since February 2022, Scheffler has collected 19 PGA Tour wins and four major championships.

The reality is that the pressure never lets up at the top. Staying still usually means you’re falling behind.

For the 29-year-old, future success will likely come down to finding those small improvements.

Scheffler seems to have all the tools needed to remain at the top of the PGA Tour for years to come.

This off-season, he’s added even more ball speed heading into the new campaign.

But can he maintain this level through another season?

The likes of Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and Xander Schauffele remain his closest competition on tour, while LIV Golf stars Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm will be aiming to challenge him in majors across 2026 as well. Still, there’s every chance they’ll end up disappointed…

Scottie Scheffler makes choice that could spell trouble for his competition

Scheffler’s 2025 campaign got off to a relatively slow start, at least by the high standards he’s set for himself in recent years.

If he wants to push closer to Tiger Woods’ historic 2000 season, where Woods won nine times, starting quicker will be key. An early win could set the tone for something special.

That’s part of why his decision to enter The American Express in La Quinta, California could be a smart one.

Last year, an injury kept him out of The Sentry and he didn’t tee it up until the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

He showed some rust early on. Even though he posted two top-10s in his first five starts, it was clear he hadn’t found his rhythm yet.

Could a better Scottie Scheffler emerge in 2026?

Scheffler’s schedule was limited early on in 2025, and he struggled to get into any kind of rhythm until the spring.

This year, with a full preseason behind him and his injury issues cleared up, he’s set for a much smoother build-up.

Playing The American Express should help him sharpen his game before the bigger tournaments start picking up in February.

If he gets off to a fast start, players like McIlroy, Fleetwood, and Schauffele could be left trying to catch up before the season really gets going.