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Scottie Scheffler entered this week's PGA Championship in search of his third career major championship. Scheffler has already won two Green Jackets, winning the Masters in 2022 and 2024.
After not having his best stuff at the Quail Hollow Club the first two rounds, he turned it on Saturday.
Scheffler's epic finish, going 5-under over his final five holes, included the daunting 'Green Mile' stretch of 16 through 18. That built him a three-shot lead entering Sunday's final round.
Midway through his final 18, Scheffler was struggling. Meanwhile, Jon Rahm had clawed his way back into a tie for the lead. It appeared as though golf fans were going to be treated to a dramatic finish.
Instead, Rahm faltered down the stretch while Scheffler went back to work. He ultimately won by five shots, ahead of Bryson DeChambeau, Davis Riley and Harris English.
At just 28 years old, Scheffler now has three major titles and is halfway to the career grand slam.
But his prowess on the golf course goes well beyond Augusta National and Quail Hollow. So, with this win in his pocket, it had us wondering where he should rank historically?
Scottie Scheffler Legend Continues to Grow
Let's be clear from the start. The arrow is pointing up and he has the chance to go down in history as one of the greatest golfers ever. But right now, it would be blasphemy to even contemplate placing Scheffler anywhere near the top.
Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are atop nearly everyone's list. You can pick the order you want.
Then there is obviously a host of others that are currently above reproach. Namely, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Bobby Jones, Gary Player, and Seve Ballesteros.
There is even another group of golfers that are still undoubtedly a cut above, including Gene Sarazen, Walter Hagen, Tom Watson, Nick Faldo, and even Phil Mickelson.
I know, I know, I have Lefty pretty high. But let's not forget that before his controversial move to LIV Golf, Mickelson won six majors and is the oldest to ever win a major.
So, that is 13 players that you cannot make a serious argument that Scheffler belongs above, yet.
But from there, it is game on.
Scheffler Might Sneak Inside Top 15
Among active players, Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka have five majors. Ernie Els has four. There are others in that area. But when we are at this point in the list, you have to look at much more than just major championships.
Consistency is key, and that is where Scheffler excels.
The Ridgewood, New Jersey native moved to the top spot in the Official World Golf Rankings exactly two years ago, on May 23, 2023. Since that time, he has remained atop the OWGR for 104 consecutive weeks.
Only Tiger Woods has a longer streak in history. Well technically he did it twice, with one stretch lasting 281 weeks and another at 264. But that's Tiger, who is obviously in another stratosphere.
Nevertheless, Scheffler's accomplishment stands on its own.
Last year, he had one of the most dominant seasons on the PGA Tour anyone has ever seen. He made all 19 cuts on Tour, finishing in the top 10 in 16 of them. Of those, he won seven against stacked fields.
He wasn't winning the John Doe championship against unfamiliar competition. He won the Arnold Palmer, the PLAYERS, the Masters, RBC Heritage, and the Memorial. All of those are Signature Events with elite competition.
He added an Olympic Gold Medal and the Tour Championship, then topped it off with a victory at Hero World Challenge.
That is enough for a player to make a Hall of Fame career on, and he did it in one year.
Even the numbers back up his greatness.
The previous season, Scheffler averaged 2.614 strokes gained tee-to-green, which ranked second all-time behind Woods' 2006 season (2.982).
He is already considered one of the best ball-strikers the game has ever seen. The PGA Tour recently dropped a video of Tiger Woods fawning over Scheffler's game.
Game recognizes game.
All of this to say that I have Scottie Scheffler sneaking inside my top 15 players of all-time.
More Golf: Bryson DeChambeau's 7-Words for Scottie Scheffler at PGA Championship, Revealed
About the writer
Kendall is a Newsweek contributor and editor for Newsweek based in Los Angeles. His focus is all things sports with ... Read more