World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler has pulled out of The American Express tournament, marking his second consecutive absence from professional play. The withdrawal comes as Scheffler continues to recover from a minor hand surgery he underwent after puncturing his right hand with glass while preparing Christmas dinner. The injury also caused him to miss the PGA Tour's season opener, The Sentry, in Hawaii.
Scheffler, 28, announced his decision on Instagram, stating he needs additional time to heal. He's aiming to return for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, another signature event, which begins on January 30th.
The 2024 season was a monumental one for Scheffler, who secured nine victories globally, including seven PGA Tour titles and his second Masters championship. He also added an Olympic gold medal to his impressive resume after a strong finish at the 2024 Paris Games. His remarkable performance earned him PGA Tour Player of the Year for the third consecutive year, a feat not accomplished since Tiger Woods achieved it from 2005-2007. Scheffler also mirrored Woods' 2009 accomplishment by holding the world's top ranking for the entire calendar year.
His dominance translated to record-breaking earnings, exceeding $54 million for the season, including a $25 million bonus for winning the FedEx Cup.
The American Express, held in Palm Desert, California, is scheduled for January 16-19.
