Sign up every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in sports and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we preview the 2026 season, Scottie Scheffler’s perspective and who will win their first major in 2026.
After a few weeks off, the 2026 PGA Tour season begins Thursday with the Sony Open in Hawaii. last week, we touched on some bold predictions for this year, so this week, we’ll be moving into part two of our season preview. Scottie Scheffler has won the PGA Tour Player of the Year award price for the last four years, so are you getting Scheffler or Field in 2026?
Josh Schrock, news editor (@Schrock_And_Awe): I will go to the field. Scottie just keeps getting better, but eventually he won’t win everything. At least, I think.
Sean Zak, senior writer (@Sean_Zak): It would be a little surprising not to see Scheffler win three times in 2026. That feels like his floor! So who will beat him? Rory McIlroy could take the crown, sure, but it would have to happen at the biggest events. If Jon Rahm were a PGA Tour golfer, maybe I would feel differently, but he doesn’t. So I’ll take Scheffler against the field.
Jack Hirsh, equipment editor (@JR_HIRSHey): Yes, it’s hard to bet against Scheffler. Last year, we were wondering how he would top a seven-win season. How about winning six more times and doubling his major total to set up a possible Grand Slam finish on Long Island this summer? Depending on how I’m feeling on a given day, sometimes I think Rory McIlroy can be the best player at his best, but he’s just not every week like Scheffler is right now. You just can’t bet against that kind of consistent greatness.
If Scheffler doesn’t win, who will? Or who will be his runner-up?
Schrock: I’ll take Tommy Fleetwood. Now that The PGA Tour monkey is off his backhe wins three times, including a major, and wins the POTY.
Zack: I think Xander Schauffele is back in world-best form, so I’m going to tip him. His floor was never really that low in 2025 despite facing some injury issues. He raises it this year.
Hirsh: I’m on the Fleetwood hype train too, but I still don’t think (even if he wins the Masters like I expect) he’ll surpass McIlroy.
Last year, Ben Griffin started the season without a win, but he won three times on the PGA Tour and earned a Ryder Cup selection. Who is your choice for new player in 2026?
Schrock: I mean Luke Clanton, but the results since turning pro have been rough. He still has a lot of potential, but for a hitter, I’d go the other way and pick Michael Thorbjornsen to win a few times in 2026. I’d also look out for Marco Penge, who has one of the best swings in golf and is fresh off a three-win 2025 DP World Tour. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him stay hot and win once or twice in his new tournament if the game stays in shape.
Zack: Rasmus Hojgaard! I will plant my flag behind him as the best twin, with all due respect to Nico. He has won and fought a lot on the DP world tour; just expect him to do it on the PGA Tour. My guess is he wins in the spring and maybe another in the fall.
Hirsh: Does Cameron Young count? I know he got hot late in the season, finally got into the winner’s circle and was the LLVP (Least Valuable Player) for the Americans at the Ryder Cup, but I see him carrying that momentum into at least two more wins this season.
JJ Spaun made one of the most memorable shots of the season last year to win the US Open and claim his first title. Which lesser player will win the first in 2026?
Schrock: I’ve already picked Fleetwood to win a major, so we’ll stay there. All eyes will be on him at the Open, but I think he does well at Shinnecock in June.
Zack: I will believe in Viktor Hovland and his endless hunt. The talent is there. Here’s hoping everything falls into place in the weeks that matter.
Hirsh: Fleetwood wins the Masters. Ludvig Aberg is the champion footballer of the year. Did I stutter?
And the rookie of 2026 will be…?
Schrock: Give me Pledge. The i love the swing and the attitude. He wins twice.
Zack: We’ll keep Norway alive and go with Kristoffer Reitan. DataGolf ranks him 39th in the world right now, which is about 40 spots higher than I would expect. He hits it wide and places it brilliantly. He can win in weeks when his irons are above average.
Hirsh: I like Penge a lot too, but I’ll go with Johnny Keefer, KFT’s best player. He nearly won $1 million in that tournament last year and then finished T7 at RSM at the end of the year. The sky’s the limit for the Baylor kid.
And your last prediction in bold is…?
Schrock: Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler both return to the winner’s circle in 2026. Spieth will win at Pebble Beach in February, while Fowler does it at the RBC Heritage.
Zack: Sepp Straka, Grand Champion.
Hirsh: The 40-year-old trio of Justin Rose, Gary Woodland and Adam Scott have won three times collectively and each have a T5 at a major.
;)
