Scottie Scheffler has decided to withdraw from The American Express tournament set to take place in Palm Desert, California from January 16 to 19. The top-ranked golfer in the world cited the need for additional recovery time for his right hand, which is still healing from a minor surgical procedure following an accident during Christmas preparations.

Scheffler sustained the injury while preparing a festive meal and had previously missed the season opener at The Sentry in Hawaii due to this issue. In a message posted on Instagram, he expressed his hopefulness about the situation, indicating that he is aiming for a comeback at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, scheduled to start on January 30.

Last season was remarkable for Scheffler, as he claimed multiple prestigious titles, including the Masters, the Olympic gold medal, The Players Championship, and the FedEx Cup, totaling nine victories across the globe. His impressive performances earned him the PGA Tour Player of the Year honor, marking him as the first player to maintain the No. 1 ranking throughout an entire year since Tiger Woods in 2009.

As the golf season unfolds, fans and followers will be keenly watching Scheffler’s recovery progress and his anticipated return to the course. His decision to prioritize health underscores the importance of athlete recovery, especially after sustaining injuries, regardless of their nature.