A new season in any sport often brings with it waves of hope and excitement, and that’s precisely the tone PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan conveyed in a recent year-end video message filled with promises of innovation and thrilling experiences. “All options are on the table,” Monahan remarked just over a month ago.
Sadly, that table became a source of trouble for Scottie Scheffler, as he confirmed that while preparing ravioli at home for Christmas, he accidentally injured his right hand when glass pierced his palm, necessitating minor surgery. As a result, he had to withdraw from the season opener in Kapalua and The American Express event in California, with his participation at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am still uncertain until later this week.
“I’m eager to return, excited to get back out there,” Scheffler stated on Monday. “However, I’m not going to rush my recovery just for the sake of it.”
As fans await his return, they hope it won’t take as long as the final group did at The American Express. The trio took nearly 5 hours and 40 minutes to complete their round, comparable to how long it takes to play three TGL matches, providing a less-than-competitive atmosphere despite impressive play from Sepp Straka.
While Monahan had spoken of gearing up to “launch a new season,” the beginning has certainly felt sluggish. However, there were glimmers of excitement as Hideki Matsuyama made headlines after his remarkable victory at The Sentry in Kapalua, where he set record lows at 35 under par and achieved 35 birdies in a 72-hole event. Following suit, Nick Taylor turned the usually uneventful Sony Open into a nail-biter by eagle chipping on the final hole, displaying his Canadian prowess in a playoff win.
Despite these highlights, the tour has been missing some key players. Joining Scheffler on the sidelines is Xander Schauffele, the reigning PGA and British Open champion, currently ranked second globally. He withdrew from The American Express due to “medical” reasons and did not register for this week’s event at Torrey Pines, marking the first time in his career he has missed it. Reports indicated he is dealing with a soft tissue injury in his rib, but Schauffele had no additional comments when reached over the weekend.
Also absent from the Torrey event is Collin Morikawa, who had to step back due to flu-like symptoms, as per his manager. The scheduling of the event midweek, in an attempt to dodge the NFL conference championships, possibly didn’t help with attendance either.
On the other side of the globe, Rory McIlroy made his competition debut last week in Dubai and mentioned his intention to scale back his participation this year, reflecting on the inevitability of age. He is set to make his U.S. appearance next Monday in the TGL before heading to Pebble Beach.
The TGL event showed promise with its innovative technology and brisk format, although the excitement seemed to dwindle when it came time to tally scores. The initial matches were largely one-sided, and notable moments included Kevin Kisner’s bunker blunder and Tiger Woods’ miscalculated wedge shot. The addition of a shot clock aimed to enhance the pace, although it often stifled conversation even among notable players like Schauffele and Shane Lowry. TGL’s ratings have hovered around 1 million, with the ability to maintain this level proving to be the true challenge moving forward, particularly if more competitive matchups emerge.
As the PGA Tour enters its third week, anticipation for the Masters is building, with hopes that both Scheffler and Schauffele will return in time. In a recent Zoom call promoting the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which Scheffler won the previous year, he appeared in good spirits despite his injury, humorously noting the challenges of diaper duty with one hand. Nonetheless, he inadvertently used his injured hand out of habit throughout the conversation, engaging in small actions that may lead to difficulties when it comes time to shave with his left hand.
While Scheffler was tight-lipped regarding his recovery timeline, he did mention watching highlights of past tournaments during his downtime. “Typically, my memory is short,” he explained, adding that while elevating his hand post-surgery, he took some time to reflect on prior performances and mentally rehearsed the sensations associated with striking certain shots. “I wasn’t completely distancing myself from golf, if that makes sense.”
The real understanding will come when he is back on the course, as it will for Schauffele, potentially giving the PGA Tour a chance to fully actualize the promising new season ahead.
