Scheffler, McIlroy, Fitzpatrick? Who Will Capture the PGA Tour Player of the Year Honor?

Rory McIlroy maintains that the battle for PGA Tour Player of the Year remains wide open, insisting there is still plenty at stake for the coveted Jack Nicklaus Award. Despite his recent triumph at the Masters, McIlroy downplayed his own chances before the BMW Championship, claiming there was "no chance" he should be a frontrunner. Yet a third‑place finish behind Wyndham Clark at that event keeps his name firmly in the conversation. Scottie Scheffler, who has secured the player‑of‑the‑year accolade for the past four seasons through a vote of his PGA Tour peers, is eyeing a possible fifth consecutive trophy.

The world No. 1 has delivered another steady campaign, adding to his already impressive résumé. Other golfers who have collected multiple victories this year include Wyndham Clark, Matt Fitzpatrick, Chris Gotterup and Cameron Young.

Their recent successes could fuel a late‑season surge at the Tour Championship, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. A win in the FedExCup finale at East Lake this week might give any of these five a decisive edge before the official shortlist is announced in the autumn, making this year’s race one of the most competitive in recent memory. Who will ultimately be crowned the 2026 PGA Tour Player of the Year?

Below is a closer look at the principal contenders. **Scottie Scheffler** Scheffler’s tally of tournament wins may not match the prolific 2025 season, but he still posted a strong year with two victories.

His first came at The American Express in January, followed by a triumph at the FedEx St. Jude Championship in August. More remarkable than the wins, however, has been his consistency. The world‑number‑one finished runner‑up on five occasions in 2026, including a historic stretch of three straight solo second‑place finishes at The Masters, the RBC Heritage and the Cadillac Championship – a first in PGA Tour history.

Those repeated close calls underscore his relentless competitiveness and keep him firmly in the running for the player‑of‑the‑year award. **Rory McIlroy** McIlroy has previously captured the Player of the Year honor three times. After defending his Masters title in April, he again finds himself in contention. His season has featured several standout moments, such as the breathtaking distance he displayed off the tee at The Open and a tied‑second finish at the Genesis Invitational.

He also posted top‑ten results at the PGA Championship and the Genesis Scottish Open, and most recently secured third place at the BMW Championship. While he modestly suggested his chances were slim, the depth of his résumé makes it difficult to discount his bid. **Matt Fitzpatrick** The 2022 U.S. Open champion is enjoying his most successful PGA Tour campaign to date.

Fitzpatrick captured three tour victories this season and finished runner‑up twice, narrowly missing out on The Players Championship. After a loss to Cameron Young at TPC Sawgrass, he rebounded with a win at the Valspar Championship, then followed that with back‑to‑back titles at the RBC Heritage and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the latter alongside his brother Alex. His ability to bounce back quickly and string together wins highlights his strong case for the award. **Wyndham Clark** Clark’s 2026 season has been a breakout year.

He secured his third victory of the season at the BMW Championship, adding to earlier triumphs at the CJ Cup in May and a second U.S. Open title at Shinnecock Hills, where his superb putting edged Sam Burns by a single stroke.

These wins, combined with his consistent presence near the top of leaderboards, position him as a serious challenger for the Player of the Year title. **Cameron Young** Young added his second and third PGA Tour victories in 2026, first winning The Players in March and then out‑scoring Scheffler to capture the Cadillac Championship in May. He came agonizingly close to a major win at The Open in July, finishing just one shot behind champion Ryan Fox.

Young’s rapid ascent and ability to compete with the sport’s elite make him a dark horse in the race. **Chris Gotterup** Gotterup launched his 2026 campaign with a win at the season‑opening Sony Open in Hawaii, then defeated Hideki Matsuyama in a playoff to claim the WM Phoenix Open the following month. His third victory arrived at the John Deere Classic later in the year, marking his most successful season on tour so far. While perhaps less heralded than the other names, his three‑win haul demonstrates the depth of talent in contention.

The season will culminate at the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club, where only the top 30 players in the FedExCup standings will compete for the $10 million prize and the coveted FedExCup trophy. The outcome of that event could tip the scales in favor of one of the aforementioned golfers, solidifying their claim to the Player of the Year honor. Fans can follow the drama live on Sky Sports, with coverage beginning Thursday at 5 pm on Sky Sports Golf. For those without a contract, streaming options are available through NOW.

The final shortlist for the Jack Nicklaus Award will be revealed in the autumn, but until then the race remains fiercely contested, and every tournament still offers a chance for a player to cement his legacy as the 2026 PGA Tour Player of the Year.