PLAYER PROFILE · PGA TOUR
Scottie Scheffler is the world’s number one golfer and the most dominant player of his era — a three-time major champion whose metronomic ball-striking and unflappable temperament have drawn comparisons to prime Tiger Woods. In ParTee GC’s 2026 records he enters the Open Championship as the outright favourite.
| Full name | Scott Alexander Scheffler |
|---|---|
| Born | 21 June 1996, Ridgewood, New Jersey, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Turned pro | 2018 |
| Primary tour | PGA Tour |
| Height | 6′ 3″ (1.91 m) |
| Major championships | 3 (two Masters, one PGA) |
| World ranking | No. 1 |
| Equipment | TaylorMade clubs; Nike apparel |
Early Life & College
Born in New Jersey and raised from the age of six in Dallas, Scheffler grew up practising at Royal Oaks Country Club under the coach who still guides him, Randy Smith. A standout junior, he played four years at the University of Texas, won the low-amateur honours at the 2017 U.S. Open, and turned professional in 2018 with none of the fanfare that had attended some of his peers. The rise, once it came, was swift and total.
The Ascent to World No. 1
Scheffler won his first PGA Tour title in early 2022 and, within weeks, had added the Masters and climbed to World No. 1 — a stretch of form that turned a promising young player into the sport’s dominant figure almost overnight. He has since made the top ranking his own, defending and extending it across seasons in which he has frequently led the tour in nearly every ball-striking metric. His second green jacket, in 2024, and the 2025 PGA Championship confirmed that the dominance was not a moment but an era.
Playing Style
Scheffler’s game is built on the purest iron play of his generation. He leads the game in strokes-gained approach with a regularity that borders on monotony, hitting the ball to tap-in range from distances that leave his rivals scrambling. The swing is idiosyncratic — the sliding, shuffling footwork through impact that earned the nickname “happy feet” would horrify a purist — but it is ruthlessly repeatable. Long doubted as a putter, he answered the criticism with a switch to a mallet and a run of form that removed his last apparent flaw. Above all he is calm: no theatrics, no visible nerves, a demeanour that makes the winning look almost administrative.
Off the Course
Scheffler is, by design, the least starry superstar in golf — a devout, family-centred figure who speaks about faith and fatherhood more readily than about legacy, and who returned to competition within weeks of the birth of his first child in 2024. His caddie, Ted Scott, is a constant presence and confidant. In an age of manufactured personalities and social-media brand-building, Scheffler’s appeal is the opposite: an ordinary man doing an extraordinary thing, and seeming faintly bemused by the fuss.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many majors has Scottie Scheffler won?
Scottie Scheffler has won three major championships — the 2022 and 2024 Masters and the 2025 PGA Championship — while establishing himself as the most dominant World No. 1 since prime Tiger Woods.
How old is Scottie Scheffler and where is he from?
Scheffler was born on 21 June 1996 in Ridgewood, New Jersey, and raised in Dallas, Texas. He played college golf at the University of Texas and turned professional in 2018.
Why is Scottie Scheffler ranked World No. 1?
Scheffler reached World No. 1 in 2022 and has held the position for long stretches on the strength of the finest ball-striking in the game — he routinely leads the tour in strokes-gained approach — combined with remarkable consistency and, more recently, a much-improved putter.
What is known about Scottie Scheffler’s putting and ‘happy feet’?
Scheffler’s footwork through impact — his feet often slide and shuffle as he swings, nicknamed ‘happy feet’ — is unorthodox but repeatable, and coaches point to it as part of how he generates such reliable ball-striking. Once a perceived weakness, his putting improved sharply after a switch to a mallet putter.
Which tour does Scottie Scheffler play on?
Scheffler plays on the PGA Tour, where he is the leading player of his era. He works with long-time caddie Ted Scott and coach Randy Smith.