Scottie Scheffler names the amateur golfer on the PGA Tour who he really wants to make the cut at the WM Phoenix Open this week

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Scottie Scheffler is the red-hot favourite to land his first win of the season at this weekend’s Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Scheffler’s return at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am was positive. The world number one finished inside the top ten and ranked first for strokes gained approach. Scheffler, however, believes he was still dusting off the cobwebs on the Monterey Peninsula.

If Scheffler sharpens up with his driver and around the greens, it will only be a matter of time before he lands win number one and begins to hunt down his nine victories from the 2024 season.

Along with Scheffler’s search for his first win, amateur star Luke Clanton is the subject of another important storyline at the WM Phoenix Open.

The 21-year-old needs to make the cut to earn a full PGA Tour card. Clanton is two PGA Tour U points away from the 20 required to wrap up full Tour status – and Scheffler will be cheering the Florida State star this weekend.

What has Scottie Scheffler said about Luke Clanton

Speaking during his pre-tournament press conference, Scheffler detailed an exchange he shared with Clanton whilst at TPC Scottsdale.

“First of all, I saw Luke yesterday, and I was going to ask him what his status was in terms of getting his card because I feel like I’ve been seeing him so much playing tournaments that I didn’t know if he was still in college or not, so asked him yesterday, are you still in school, and he’s like, well, yeah I’m like, okay, good. You passing some classes,” Scheffler said.

“He’s played great golf and definitely deserves to get his card, so I hope that he plays good this week and locks it up and goes back and does his thing in school.

“But as far as him thinking of me as a role model, I’m here to help with what I can, but at the end of the day, I try to come out here and play golf, and if the younger guys have some questions for me, I’m more than happy to answer them.”

• READ MORE: The four players with the most birdies or better per round at TPC Scottsdale since 2020 ahead of WM Phoenix Open

How much would Luke Clanton have won if he were professional?

Clanton will be relieved to finally acquire the requisite number of PGA Tour U points and become a professional.

During the 2024 season, Clanton earned over $1.8m in prize money but was not allowed a single dollar due to his amateur status. Clanton finished T2 at the John Deere Classic and RSM Classic. He also made the weekend at the US Open.

In 2025, Clanton missed the cut at the Sony Open in Hawaii after finishing one under. However, the 21-year-old did place inside the top 15 at the Farmers Insurance Open and faced up well to the blustery conditions at Torrey Pines.

Given how close he is to securing a PGA Tour card, it will only be a matter of time before he starts earning a considerable wage on golf’s traditional circuit.