The PGA Tour player Scottie Scheffler claimed had a ‘ton of potential’ who has now won once in three years

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Scottie Scheffler knows more than most what it takes to win titles in the modern game, with four major championships on his honours list.

Scheffler is a 19-time champion on the PGA Tour, having added six wins to his CV in the 2025 season alone.

World number one Scheffler claimed his first PGA Tour win in 2022, emerging victorious at the WM Phoenix Open.

He overcame Patrick Cantlay in a playoff at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Scheffler’s focus will now be turning towards extending his wins tally in 2026, particularly after his disappointing loss with the USA at the Ryder Cup.

The player with one PGA Tour win who Scottie Scheffler claimed had a ‘ton of potential’

In contrast, Sahith Theegala needs a huge 2026, with the American in danger of dropping out of the Official World Golf Ranking top 100.

Theegala was indeed in contention for his first-ever PGA Tour win at the 2022 WM Phoenix Open, but eventually faded away to finish T3.

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Along with questions on his success, Scheffler was asked about Theegala’s potential in the aftermath, of which he said: “I think he’s got a ton of potential.

“He’s obviously really talented, hits a lot of different golf shots, which on firm, fast major championship tests, that’s kind of where you can separate yourself with being able to hit all kinds of shots.

“It’s tough getting started out here. It’s tough playing with leads. It’s tough playing in this environment, and he handled himself great today, just didn’t execute there towards the end.

“Got a really, really bad break on 17 to have that ball go in the water. So the sky’s the limit for him and I’m excited to see where his career is going to go.”

Also asked about Theegala’s display in Arizona was runner-up Cantlay, who said: “Yeah, he played great all week, obviously, and had the lead going into today and played well, so I’m sure he’ll be around for a long time.”

Sahith Theegala’s entire history on the PGA Tour

As countless players have since found out, getting the better of Scheffler in the closing stages is near impossible.

That was the case for the likes of Cantlay and Theegala in 2022, but the latter didn’t need to wait long to get over the line.

He clinched the title at the 2023 Fortinet Championship, although that remains his only PGA Tour win to date.

Discussing his pride and disappointment after that WM Phoenix Open near miss, Theegala said: “A little bit of both, sure. I thought I hit a great shot on 17. It was cutting.

“As long as it’s another yard right, I think that’s perfect. Kick straight and it’s good. Kicked left into the water there.

“Then I was worried about the ball… it was such a steep slope, I was worried about the ball kind of rolling back, so I maybe rushed my process just a little bit there and hit a poor chip and hit a poor putt.

“I just didn’t hit the shots at the right time when it counted. But definitely proud of the way I played this week.”

He was right to hold his head high despite the outcome, having finished just one shot behind Scheffler, and level with Xander Schauffele and Brooks Koepka.

The 27-year-old has made 122 appearances on the PGA Tour since breaking through in 2022, with four runner-up places accompanying that solo win.