Scottie Scheffler arrives at Augusta National to defend his 2022 Masters title with momentum.
Scheffler is first in the Official World Golf Rankings — and hasn’t ranked lower than No. 2 since before last year’s Masters. He’s also the betting favorite (+650) headed into the tournament.
Perhaps most impressive: The 26-year-old has earned $11.6 million from tournament winnings this season — the most on the PGA Tour. He can pocket $2.7 million by winning at Augusta again.
Scheffler’s two 2023 victories have served as the bedrock for those earnings: He took home $3.6 million by repeating at February’s newly elevated Waste Management Phoenix Open and $4.5 million by winning at The Players Championship in March.
Repeating in Phoenix is one thing, but if Scheffler can take home his second Green Jacket in a row, he’ll join an exclusive list of some of the most hallowed names in golf history.
- Jack Nicklaus (1965-66)
- Nick Faldo (1989-90)
- Tiger Woods (2001-02)
Repeating as Masters champion would continue the Tiger-like aura Scheffler has cultivated since he won a year ago — though he still has yet to take home another major title.
Stiff Competition
There will be no shortage of challengers standing in his way.
Chief among them is Jon Rahm (+850) — currently first place in the FedEx Cup standings — who was OWGR’s top-ranked player before Scheffler’s 2022 Masters victory and who briefly grabbed the top spot from Scheffler in late February.
And then there’s fan favorite Rory McIlroy (+750), who dramatically swiped the Tour Championship from Scheffler at the end of last season.
