Scottie Scheffler Starts 2026 Strong with a Statement Win at The American Express!

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler opened his 2026 season in dominant fashion, capturing his 20th career PGA TOUR victory with a confident win at The American Express in the Coachella Valley. The victory not only marked a milestone moment for Scheffler, but also reinforced why he continues to set the standard on TOUR.

Scheffler got off to a fast start early in the week at La Quinta and never looked back as he carried momentum across the tournament’s rotation of courses. Reflecting on the significance of his 20th win, Scheffler remained characteristically humble. “That’s a pretty cool feat to get to,” he said, noting that his focus stayed on preparation and execution rather than milestones. “I hit a lot of wedges really close to the hole, gave myself some easy birdies, and when I was out of position did a good job of getting the ball up-and-down.”

Sunday’s final pairing added to the excitement, as Scheffler was joined by fellow TOUR standout Si Woo Kim and 18-year-old rising star Blades Brown. Scheffler praised both competitors, calling Kim “such a talented player” and pointing to Brown’s bright future after witnessing his poise on one of golf’s biggest stages. “Anybody at 18 years old that can make it into the final pairing of a PGA TOUR event is doing something right,” Scheffler said.

As comparisons continue to surface—placing Scheffler alongside legends like Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as one of the few players under 30 with 20 wins and four major championships—the reigning world No. 1 keeps his perspective grounded. “Any time you can get mentioned with those guys, it means you’re doing some stuff right,” he shared, while emphasizing that his day-to-day mindset remains unchanged. “I don’t spend too much time thinking about the milestones.”

Scheffler’s precision wedge play proved decisive, especially on the course’s shorter par-4s, where he consistently set up low-stress birdie opportunities. That sharp execution, paired with calm composure under pressure, allowed him to pull away despite a competitive leaderboard chasing from behind.

With his season debut ending in silverware, Scottie Scheffler once again showed why he’s the man to beat heading into 2026. And if this performance at The American Express is any indication, the rest of the PGA TOUR season is shaping up to be another thrilling ride—coast to coast.