Scottie Scheffler vs Xander Schauffele: Comparing their 2024 season so far
Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele have dominated the golf world so far this year. Their performances this year rank among the best of their respective careers, solidifying their status as two of the sport's top players.
Since Schauffele's victory at the 2024 Open Championship, fans have been debating which player has had the better season. Scheffler's recent victory at the Paris Olympics has only fueled the debate.
Xander Schauffele or Scottie Scheffler: Who has had a better 2024 season? Let's get to it:
Xander Schauffele
The highlight of Xander Schauffele's season has been winning two major championships. Schauffele won the PGA Championship at Valhalla and the Open Championship at Royal Troon, in both cases with clutch performances down the stretch.
However, Schauffele's dominance extended beyond his major victories, as he posted excellent results in the other two majors as well. He finished eighth at the Masters and T7 at the US Open. Schauffele also claimed a runner-up finish at The Players Championship, one of the most prestigious non-major events on the golf calendar
The 30-year-old has played in 18 events without missing a single cut. In addition to his two wins, he had 10 other top 10 finishes, including two runner-up finishes. His worst finish of the year was a T54 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Schauffele was also on the verge of a medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, leading the event after 54 holes. However, he had a very unlucky fourth round (three birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey) that dropped him to T9.
Scottie Scheffler
Since March, Scottie Scheffler has been delivering thrilling golf experiences to the world. The golf world has been captivated by his dominance as he's racked up an astonishing six PGA Tour victories, including the prestigious Masters and Players Championship.
In addition, the 28-year-old has made the cut in the other three majors, with two top-10s. He tied for eighth at the PGA Championship despite his infamous prison stint in Louisville, Kentucky, and tied for seventh at the Open Championship.
Throughout the season, Scottie Scheffler has participated in 16 PGA Tour events and has placed in the top 10 14 times, including six victories. His worst finish of the year was T41 at the U.S. Open.
On Sunday, August 4, Scottie Scheffler became the sixth American golfer in history to win Olympic gold. Not only did he win, but he did it in spectacular fashion, breaking the course record in the fourth round and overcoming a six-shot deficit on the back nine.
The season is not over
The victory at Le Golf National may seem definitive in the analysis of who had the best season, but as it turns out, the season is not over. Both players have significant commitments on the horizon, keeping the debate about the year's best golfer wide open.
Both will play in the three FedEx Cup playoffs, where the season's top golfers face off. Both are favorites to win the coveted FedEx Cup.
Many fans think Schauffele's two majors trump Scheffler's six wins (plus one major and an Olympic gold medal). Others think just the opposite. The truth is, the season is not over and those opinions may change depending on who wins the FedEx Cup.