Three new favourites for The Sentry after Scottie Scheffler pulls out of PGA Tour season opener

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Scottie Scheffler has undergone surgery after being involved in a freak Christmas Day accident. As a result, the world number one will miss the PGA Tour season opener at The Sentry.

Scheffler is expected to miss three weeks of action and will likely return at The American Express, which starts on January 16.

The Sentry is the first Signature Event of the season and is comprised of all tournament winners in 2024 as well as the FedEx Cup top 50.

After Scheffler‘s withdrawal, two-time major winner Xander Schauffele will become the favourite to start 2025 with a victory.

Xander Schauffele the new favourite for The Sentry after Scottie Scheffler update

With the world number one no longer in the field, Schauffele could well be the man to beat at the Plantation Course in Maui.

The American won the event in 2019 after shooting 62 (11-under) in the final round. Schauffele believes his best is yet to come and Golf Channel pundit Ryan Lavner has backed Schauffele to complete the career grand slam in the not-to-distant future.

Schauffele’s last outing was the 2024 ZOZO Championship in Japan, where he finished in a tie for 41st. The American has undoubtedly been working hard on his game during the off-season, and a fast start in Hawaii could be on the cards.

• READ MORE: Collin Morikawa reacts after Viktor Hovland suffers freak injury ahead of first PGA Tour event of the season

Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas among the favourites for The Sentry

Justin Thomas is another player who looks primed to challenge Scheffler when the 2025 season begins. The American has added speed to his game and performed well at the ZOZO Championship and Hero World Challenge.

With Scheffler not in the field, Thomas is arguably the most in-form player heading into the event. The American also has history at Kapalua after beating Patrick Reed in a playoff five years ago.

Another former major winner who will be fancied is Collin Morikawa. The American last competed at the ZOZO Championship, and has taken significant time off since the Presidents Cup in September.

Morikawa has been tipped to win a major in 2025, and a win to kick off the season wouldn’t come as a surprise either, particularly with Scheffler out of action.