Smylie Kaufman predicts who pro golfers will vote for as player of the year… Scottie Scheffler or Xander Schauffele

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Golf commentator Smylie Kaufman has weighed in on Xander Schauffele’s 2024 season compared to Scottie Scheffler’s stunning form since the turn of the year.

Scheffler continued his remarkable 2024 after winning his first Olympic gold medal at Le Golf National on Sunday afternoon.

Before the Olympics, some felt Scheffler would have traded years with Schauffele after the world number two landed his second major win at The Open.

The Champion Golfer of the Year was in contention at the Olympics before falling short in the final round. Despite missing out, Schauffele sent a positive message to Scheffler upon the conclusion of the competition in Paris.

Smylie Kaufman makes interesting Xander Schauffele claim after the 2024 Olympics

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Kaufman has now had his say on the latest edition of the Smylie Show. The American did not doubt that Scheffler was deserving of winning the Player of the Year title.

“The guy won two major championships this year, and when you look at Xander’s resume this year compared to Scottie’s, I think by far, it’s a no-brainer that Scottie Scheffler is going to win player of the year,” said Kaufman.

However, Kaufman claimed a lot of players would prefer Schauffele’s season.

“If you pulled the players and said which one you would pick, I think it would be very, very close in the voting. I think it would be 50/50. Guys would say careers and legacy are defined by majors, and any time you can get two in the same season; I think a lot of guys would side on that side.”

Scottie Scheffler needs to add more majors to his resume

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As brilliant as Scheffler has been this year, he needs to add another major championship to his resume outside of The Masters.

Kaufman mentions the game’s greatest players are measured on majors, and it’s hard to disagree.

When Scheffler’s career reaches its conclusion, the American’s major record will be placed against Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson – that’s where he will be judged.

Schauffele has delivered two majors in a matter of months and would no doubt be delighted with his work in 2024 thus far. Given how he’s performed of late, the 30-year-old stands every chance of picking up his first green jacket when the Masters takes place in April next year.