The Top Five

An in-depth look into the top five PGA Tour pros and their rise to fame and dominance on the course.

Early Life & Background: Scottie Scheffler was born on June 21, 1996, in Ridgewood, New Jersey, but moved to Dallas, Texas, at a young age. His golf journey started at the age of 3 when his parents gave him his first set of plastic golf clubs.
Collegiate Golf at Texas: Scheffler played college golf at the University of Texas, where he was an All-American and helped the Longhorns win three Big 12 Championships. He also played alongside other top golfers like Beau Hossler and Doug Ghim.
PGA Tour Rookie of the Year: After turning professional in 2018, Scheffler quickly made his mark. In 2020, he won the PGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year award, impressing fans and analysts with his consistent performance.
First PGA Tour Win: Scheffler secured his first PGA Tour victory at the 2022 WM Phoenix Open, an emotional win that catapulted him into the spotlight and boosted his world ranking.
2022 Masters Champion: Scheffler won his first major at the 2022 Masters Tournament. His victory was highlighted by his calm demeanor and skillful play, marking him as a rising star and earning him the iconic green jacket.
World Number 1: Shortly after his Masters win, Scheffler reached the No. 1 spot in the Official World Golf Ranking in March 2022. His rapid rise to the top reflected his skill, consistency, and dedication to the game.

College: Schauffele played college golf at Long Beach State University and then transferred to San Diego State University. He had a successful college career and won several amateur tournaments.
Breakthrough on the PGA Tour: Schauffele gained widespread attention in 2017 when he won his first PGA Tour event, the Greenbrier Classic. Later that year, he also won the Tour Championship, becoming the first rookie to win the season-ending event.
Major Championship Performances: Although he hasn’t won a major yet, he has consistently performed well in them, with top-10 finishes in all four majors. His best finish in a major is a tie for second place at both the 2018 Open Championship and the 2019 Masters.
Playing Style: Known for his calm demeanor and strong mental game, Xander has an all-around skill set, with strengths in driving, iron play, and putting. He's also recognized for his consistency under pressure.
World Ranking: Schauffele has consistently been ranked among the top 10 golfers in the world and has spent several years as one of the top American golfers.

Amateur Success: McIlroy was a golf prodigy from a young age, gaining attention as a teenager for his victories in amateur competitions. He won the prestigious West of Ireland Championship and the Irish Close Championship as a 16-year-old.
Turning Pro: Rory turned professional in 2007 at the age of 18 and quickly made a name for himself on the European Tour before joining the PGA Tour.
Career Grand Slam Quest: Rory has come close to completing the career Grand Slam (winning all four majors) but has yet to win the Masters, which remains his primary goal.
Playing Style: Known for his long drives, Rory ranks among the longest hitters on the PGA Tour. He’s also praised for his iron play, aggressive style, and ability to perform under pressure.
World Ranking: Rory has held the World No. 1 ranking multiple times throughout his career and is frequently in the top 10. He first reached the No. 1 spot in 2012 and has spent over 100 weeks at the top of the rankings.

Collegiate Success: Morikawa was a five-time All-American and spent three weeks as the top-ranked amateur in the world in 2018.
Turning Pro: He turned professional in 2019 after graduating from college.
First PGA Tour Win: He won his first PGA Tour event, the Barracuda Championship, in 2019.
2020 PGA Championship: Morikawa won his first major at the PGA Championship in August 2020, becoming the third-youngest player to win the event.
2021 Open Championship: He won the Open Championship in his debut at the tournament, making him the first player to win two majors in his first eight starts.
He is one of only a few players in history to win a major championship in his debut at that tournament (2021 Open Championship).
His rapid ascent in professional golf has been marked by a calm demeanor and exceptional consistency.

College Achievements: Åberg was a two-time winner of the Ben Hogan Award (2022 and 2023), given annually to the top collegiate golfer in the United States.
No. 1 Amateur: He was the top-ranked amateur in the world for more than a year, holding the No. 1 position in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
Turning Pro: Åberg turned professional in June 2023 after completing his college career at Texas Tech.
Immediate Impact: Shortly after turning professional, he earned his PGA Tour card through the PGA Tour University program, which rewards top collegiate golfers with a direct path to professional golf.
2023 Debut: Åberg was selected for the 2023 European Ryder Cup team, making him one of the few rookies to be included in the prestigious event so early in his career.
Performance: He played a key role in Europe’s victory, demonstrating maturity and skill beyond his years.

Birdie Questby Ian Hanson