Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy? PGA Tour confirm player of the year winner

Scottie Scheffler has pipped Rory McIlroy to the PGA Tour's player of the year award. 

The 29-year-old American has become just the second man after Tiger Woods to win the award four seasons in a row. 

Scheffler won six times in 2025, including two of the four men's majors - the PGA Championship at Valhalla and The Open at Royal Portrush - as well as never missing a single cut.

He also recorded a PGA Tour-best of 17 top-finishes and averaged the best score across all four rounds in each tournament. 

Scheffler was the favourite to win the award but many believed McIlroy had a strong case given he enjoyed arguably the best year of his career. 

In April, the 36-year-old Northern Irishman made history by becoming only the sixth male golfer in history to complete the career grand slam after he beat Justin Rose in a play-off at The Masters. 

It was his first major championship success since 2014. 

McIlroy also won the Players Championship - known as the unofficial fifth men's major - for the third time his career, was triumphant at Pebble Beach and helped Europe to Ryder Cup success. 

He also won his national open at the K Club and secured the Race to Dubai crown for the seventh time in his career, edging closer to Colin Montgomerie's record. 

But it was Scheffler's consistency that likely swung the vote in his favour. 

Scheffler was forced to begin the season late after he required surgery to repair a cut on his right palm caused by the stem of a wine glass. 

His first win of the season came at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. He then cantered to victory at Valhalla, winning the PGA Championship for the first time in his career.

He also won the Memorial, hosted by Jack Nicklaus, the BMW Championship, the Procore Championship and the final men's major of the year at Royal Portrush.

Scheffler only needs to win the U.S. Open to become the latest grand slam winner.

Woods, who turns 50 later this month, was named the player of the year between 1999 and 2003. He won the award 11 times overall. 

PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp said: "Scottie's consistent level of success has been nothing short of spectacular as he continues to chase history on the PGA Tour, and we're excited to see what he will deliver in 2026."

South Africa's Aldrich Potgieter received the Arnold Palmer Award as the PGA Tour rookie of the year after a season in which he was the only newcomer to qualify for the FedEx Cup play-offs.

Potgieter, one of five rookies to win on this season, is the third South African winner of the prize, joining Ernie Els (1994) and Trevor Immelman. 

Tommy Fleetwood and Ben Griffin were also nominated for the main award, which was voted for by the members.