Golf legend Jack Nicklaus sends message to Scottie Scheffler

Multiple major champion Jack Nicklaus has lavished praise on Scottie Scheffler after the world number claimed the FedEx Cup title for the second time in his career.

Scheffler began the final round of the Tour Championship on Sunday three strokes behind 54-hole leader Viktor Hovland. 

But the four-time major champion pulled clear of the Norwegian down the stretch at East Lake, ultimately cruising to a three-shot victory at the PGA Tour's $40m season finale. 

It was a victory that saw Scheffler claim the FedEx Cup for the second time in his career and sail past Tiger Woods in all-time earnings.

Nicklaus wrote on Instagram that Scheffler "played smart" and fully expected Scheffler to win as he made the turn. 

"You played well," added the Golden Bear. "You deserved to win. Best player in the world right now! 

"I congratulate you on your victory and FedExCup Playoff win. Barbara and I wish you, Meredith and your family continued success!"

Scheffler's latest accomplishment all but assures the 30-year-old will be named the PGA Tour's player of the year for a fifth consecutive season.

It also capped another remarkably successful campaign in which Scheffler won three times, finished runner-up five times and claimed 13 top-five finishes. 

Scheffler finished runner-up to Rory McIlroy at the Masters, tied for 14th at the PGA Championship and shared for fourth at the Open.

He also made his first bid for a career grand slam at the U.S. Open, finishing tied for fourth at Shinnecock Hills.

Nicklaus wasn't the only high-profile golfer to single out Scheffler for praise. 

The aforementioned Woods, 50, said Scheffler had a season "to be proud of".

"Incredible consistency all season long," added Woods. "Congrats on a historic season, Scottie."

For his part, Scheffler said this year's Tour Championship victory felt different from his first FedExCup title because he did not begin the tournament with a lead.

Under the previous format, the FedExCup leader began the Tour Championship with a 10-under starting score, while the second-ranked player started at 8-under, with progressively lower scores for players farther down the standings.

The format was scrapped in 2025. In two years' time, the season finale will be a two-week, match play tournament.

"I'm glad we changed the format," said Scheffler. "Do I think it's perfect by any means? No. 

"But I think having a real tournament to finish the year where I am the winner and the lowest score at East Lake feels like a bit more of an accomplishment than being like, well, it's kind of a silly format."

Scheffler also described his 2026 season as "a battle". 

"I hold myself to a high standard, which I think sometimes can be good and bad," he said. 

"I feel like at times I probably could be a bit of a pain to be around when things aren't going the way they should. 

"I don't feel like I take days off. I'm highly competitive, and I'm very proud of being able to have the consistent results I've had over the years.

"I feel like it's something that's very difficult to do, and it's something that I'm very proud of. 

"I don't take tournaments off. I don't take days off during tournaments. I try to give it my all each and every day. 

"I feel like it's a gift to play out here on the PGA Tour, and don't want to take it for granted.

"I don't want to look back at the end of my career and feel like I could have done more in order to play well. 

"I want to be able to tell myself when I hang it up that I did everything I could."