Scottie Scheffler secured his second FedEx Cup title and a $10 million first prize at the Tour Championship in Atlanta, shooting a four-under 66 to finish 16-under 264. The victory moved the world number one past Tiger Woods for the top spot on the PGA Tour career money list.
At times it felt like there was a certain inevitability about Scottie Scheffler collecting another trophy. As those around him began to falter at East Lake Golf Club, the world number one produced a metronomic performance with the winning check in sight. The triumph marks his 22nd career victory, achieved at the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship.
Scheffler started the day three strokes adrift of overnight leader Viktor Hovland. Across the final three pairings, his four-under 66 was the only round to break par, giving him a substantial edge over his rivals.
Chasing Down the Leader at East Lake
The battle at the top of the leaderboard unfolded in the final round as Scheffler methodically chipped away at Hovland’s advantage. Scheffler signaled his rally by hitting his tee shot on the par-3 second hole to within 2 inches of the cup. He caught Hovland with a 25-foot birdie on the fourth hole, pulled ahead for the first time on the 13th, and held on to win.
Hovland, the 2023 champion, couldn’t hold on to a one-stroke lead heading into the final round. The Norwegian signed for a two-over 72 after his driving became erratic and his putter went cold, finishing three shots back in second place. American debutant Ryan Gerard shot a 72 to finish alone in third at 12 under par.
Scottie Scheffler stated via BBC that coming from behind and being able to win a tournament was a really cool feeling, noting that there were a lot of talented guys in front of him on the leaderboard, that he was fortunate to get off to a good start and put himself in the mix, that it was a gift to be out there on tour, and that each and every day he was going to try to give it his best.
Overtaking Tiger Woods on the Career Money List
The victory carried massive financial implications alongside the hardware. The $40 million purse at the Tour Championship now counts as official money, and Scheffler’s $10 million first prize pushed his career total to $130,390,661.
In doing so, Scheffler overtook Woods for the top spot on the PGA Tour’s career money list. Woods had held the top spot with $120,999,166 for nearly 26 years, having never played for more than a $10 million purse during his peak years from 1997 through 2008.
Scheffler also joined elite company by becoming only the third player to win multiple FedEx Cup championships, joining Woods (2007 and 2009) and Rory McIlroy (2016, 2019, and 2022). Scheffler won his first FedEx Cup two years ago.
Chasing Player of the Year Honors
Players vote on the Jack Nicklaus Award for PGA Tour player of the year. Scheffler has won the award for the last four years, and another win would tie him with Woods for the most consecutive awards.
The season finale capped a remarkable run for Scheffler, who won for the third time this year—including twice in the last three weeks during the PGA Tour’s postseason. His stellar year also features an Olympic gold medal won in Paris two years ago.
Scottie Scheffler shared via Yahoo Sports that it was a week where he brought a lot of good energy to the course and tried to do his best, adding that coming from behind and being able to win tournaments was a really cool feeling.
Farther down the leaderboard, Englishman Alex Fitzpatrick matched Scheffler’s round of 66 to catapult himself up the standings. Fitzpatrick concluded the tournament in a tie for fourth at 11 under par alongside McIlroy, marking a remarkable debut season that included a DP World Tour victory at the Indian Open and a Zurich Classic pairs win with his brother Matt.
