Can Scottie Scheffler match Tiger and Jack’s career records?
Each week, we ask our panel of writers, PGA members and golf industry experts to weigh in with their views on the hot topics of the day.
The PGA Tour got the 2026 season underway with another Scottie Scheffler victory, his 20th career win, and people are comparing his accomplishments to what Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus did before they turned 30. Some are even suggesting Scheffler could eventually eclipse the career records set by the two Hall of Famers. In the past 15 years, we’ve watched players such as Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Justin Thomas and others get red hot for a time, only to cool down as they passed their 30th birthday. What is it about Scheffler that makes you think he could keep up this winning pace for many more years? Or not?
Jim Deeks, Fairways Magazine (@jimdeeks): Scottie’s unflappability is remarkable. Nothing seems to faze him, until the last putt drops, then he allows himself to have a quiet smile, knowing that another couple of million dollars will be in his bank account tomorrow. A missed putt? Meh. A short chip? NP. A pushed drive? Hmmm. With that kind of 98.6º demeanour, I think the guy could last another 30 years and win another 10 majors at least.
Craig Loughry, Golf Ontario (@craigloughry): Hard to say, he seems to have all the tools and well-rounded life and mental approach, and I’m pulling for him no doubt. I think the only two things that can stop him or slow him down are injuries and Tour events available to play in. I’m not sure if his body can hold up long-term, whether that’s his feet/legs (footwork) or back. The other reason, if the Tour shrinks in the number of events, IMO that would lower his chances of winning more events and more frequently just because the fields would be deeper (fewer players taking weeks off) and just fewer starts available to actually win.
Michael Schurman, Master Professional / Hall of Fame Member, PGA of Canada: Two things A top player needs are superb physical conditioning and mental drive. Scottie seems so calm and low-key that it would be easy to underestimate his desire as he enters the demanding part of chasing Tiger and Jack. As life goes by, outside influences, like a family, start to intrude. He has generational wealth, which only leaves trophies. It becomes harder to maintain the intensity.
TJ Rule, Golf Away ours (@GolfAwayTJ): I think Scottie will continue to win for years to come. He’s just so much more consistent than any of those other guys, or anyone who has threatened to get to the top of the men’s golf world in the past couple of decades. The fact that he has started a family, overcome and injury to start last year, and still dominates tells me that he’s both committed, and he’s that talented. I can honestly see him threatening the Snead/Tiger record of 82 career victories, as crazy as that sounds. He’d have to average 5 wins a year over the next 12 years, but I really think he has a chance. And 14 more majors? Perhaps!
Hal Quinn, Freelance Writer, Vancouver: Even with the reduced fields, the Tour is more talented and deeper than back in Jack’s day, and even Eldrick’s. So, it should be harder for Scheffler to keep dominating. He does have the right mindset, unencumbered by anything too strenuous outside of golf. Still, hard to imagine him maintaining this pace for that much longer.
Peter Mumford, Fairways Magazine: Not a chance. Nicklaus had 30 wins before he turned 30 and Woods had 46. They won 36 and 33 times respectively in their 30’s and only a handful in their 40s. Scheffler’s already 10 wins behind Jack’s pace. He probably has a better chance of catching Tiger’s major record – he just needs one a year for 11 years. On the plus side, Scottie has the right demeanour and effortless swing to give him longevity, but even if he keeps his health and motivation, I’d suggest his win total might be closer to Arnold Palmer’s 62 and T5 all-time.
Patrick Reed also won on Sunday, capturing the Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour. It turns out that Reed isn’t yet signed with LIV Golf for 2026, although he expects that to happen. While they’re waiting for the ink to dry, should the PGA Tour extend a Returning Player invitation to Reed who is ranked 29th in the world?
Deeks: Among all the LIV turncoats, Reed is my least favourite, and he’s certainly not popular with any of his on-course colleagues. The PGA Tour has been well rid of him, with his abrasive personality and his decades-old reputation for cheating. Why on earth would they want him back? They have no obligation to invite him back, and no one would be happy if he was. So, no.
Loughry: I’m sure the PGA Tour would like to have Reed come out and say he wants to play on their Tour, but that’s not going to happen. And there is no way the PGA Tour is going to come out and say they want Reed back, so, I don’t think the Tour needs to create a path for him. He would be good for the Tour though; they need a villain out there instead of being all rainbows and vanilla ice cream.
Schurman: Reed should be entitled to the same deal offered to any other player.
Rule: No chance. I think the Tour was happy he left when he did. He’s the most unlikable player that’s played on the Tour in decades. He’s a known cheater and just hasn’t made many friends along the way. Perhaps it’s good to have a villain on Tour to bring some more passion amongst the fans, but I for one hope he doesn’t return. I just can’t stand the guy.
Quinn: First of all, Reed was never popular among Tour players, even among his own family, or galleries around the world. So why would the newly constituting Tour make an exception for a personality like Reed? He didn’t qualify under the Tour’s temporary welcome back mat, so it should be just left at that. Enjoy the DP Tour Patrick, and the LIV sideshow if they’ll have you back.
Mumford: It would be fun to see Reed back on Tour, just to occasionally muck up the works and see the suits in Ponte Vedra squirm. A turd in the punch bowl, as they say.
The PGA Merchandise Show just wrapped. As usual, there were plenty of shiny new toys and a wild assortment of gizmos and gadgets on display and widely written about during the Show. Is there one piece of equipment that’s missing from your weaponry that you might be tempted to acquire this year?
Deeks: Funny you should ask. I just took delivery yesterday of a brand-new 9-wood, to replace my five-iron and a hybrid, neither of which I seem to be able to elevate more than two inches off the ground. I love the 9-wood! But ask me next year and see if I haven’t gone back to the five-iron and the hybrid. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve switched to something, only to go back to what I had. Golf is so weird.
Loughry: No sport has as many gimmicks and gizmos than golf. Only one item really caught my eye this year, the $200 launch monitor that fits in your bag by Shot Scope. I’d like to tighten up my irons, and how this organizes shots and tracks carry and total distance just might help me do that (without breaking the bank).
Schurman: I have tried unsuccessfully for a while to find a laser putting device. I saw one made by Ram many years ago. It had a laser embedded in the clue face. You then aimed the putter and, when ready, clicked a switch in the grip. A laser beam confirmed your aim. I’d love to find one.
Rule: I missed the PGA Show for the first time in years and really missed being there. One of the interesting areas to visit at the Show is the new product section, but nothing ever really catches my eye. There are many gadgets and gizmos that are invented each year, and I can’t imagine any of them helping my game. So, I haven’t thought of anything to add to my arsenal this year, unless there’s some magic way for me to find another 20 yards off the tee. Someone once mentioned something about working out and stretching? No, that can’t be the answer. I’ll keep looking.
Quinn: Well, the drivers are longer and straighter every year, and so are the balls. So, if I wait for a few more iterations before pulling the trigger, may just start hitting it like I used to. Otherwise, will just have to keep going to the gym and practicing. Arrgh!
Mumford: I’m with Craig on this one. The Shot Scope Launch Monitor at $200 grabbed my attention. It’s a very useful tool at a bargain price compared with some much more expensive options.
