Scottie Scheffler is coming off the back of one of the greatest-ever seasons in PGA Tour history.
He recorded six PGA Tour wins, including an Open Championship and PGA Championship victory, cementing his place as the number one golfer in the world by a sizeable margin.
Scheffler’s season was so incredible that it was compared not to the players in his current generation, but to the best season Tiger Woods ever had. Scheffler dismissed those comparisons as silly, and he’s exactly right.
That’s not because of Scheffler’s performances and results, but because, unlike Woods, he’s not competing against the very best players in the world week in, week out.
Scottie Scheffler cannot be compared to Tiger Woods because of LIV Golf
It’s no fault of Scheffler’s, but the reality is that at least two of the best players on the planet aren’t competing with Scheffler for wins every week. With Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm playing on LIV Golf, the PGA Tour is as uncompetitive as it has been for a while.
Yes, Scheffler still plays against both Rahm and DeChambeau at the major championships, but LIV’s previous 54-hole format left its players totally unprepared for the biggest events of their careers. Just look at how DeChambeau fell apart on the final day at Augusta.
This might seem harsh on the current world number one, but imagine if, during Woods’ prime, Phil Mickelson had taken off to play on the DP World Tour full-time. It would totally reshape how we look at Woods’ legacy, and swing the pendulum in Jack Nicklaus’ favour in the GOAT debate.
Scheffler’s dominance coincided perfectly with the creation of the Saudi-backed league. His first major win was the 2022 Masters. And while LIV Golfers have won majors while playing on the tour, they’d likely be far more worthy adversaries if they had never left the PGA Tour.
However, a recent change on LIV could be about to prove this theory right, or remove the asterisk entirely.
Why LIV Golf’s recent change could be great for Scottie Scheffler
LIV Golf moved away from the 54-hole format that originally gave the tour its name this offseason and implemented a more traditional 72-hole format over four days. That is, of course, the same format used in the major championships and on the PGA Tour.
Rahm has been calling for this move for years, believing it would better prepare him for the major championships. The Spaniard looks to add a third major to his tally this season. Now he has his wish, and he’s in incredible form.
He won his first LIV event since 2023, and has finished first or second in all three of his tournaments this season. He’s in incredible form, so there’s no excuse to hide behind heading into The Masters.
So this is a prove-all season for Scheffler’s legacy. If Rahm goes on to win a major championship or two this year, it will show that the world number one has greatly benefited from Rahm’s departure to LIV.
However, if LIV’s stars go majorless once again despite the format change, the asterisk will be removed, and there will be no more discussions to be had. Only time will tell.
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