Scottie Scheffler Returns to Hero World Challenge Focused, Healthy, and Hungry for More
NASSAU, Bahamas - Scottie Scheffler is back in the Bahamas, back at Tiger Woods’ Hero World Challenge, and back on a mission. The World No. 1 may be following a familiar offseason routine, but this time, he’s hoping for a little less drama and a lot more momentum heading into 2026.
Last year, Scheffler capped off a stellar season with a win at this same event, only to be sidelined shortly after by one of the more unusual injuries in recent memory - a freak accident involving a wine glass and a pasta dinner. That cut forced him to miss the first two events of 2025. Now, as he returns to Albany, he’s not just healthy - he’s locked in.
“I feel like I’m on a similar routine to how I was going into last offseason,” Scheffler said Wednesday. “I don’t anticipate any interruptions this time around.
Surprises happen, but I’m remaining hopeful that nothing will go down. Yeah, it’s good being back in a routine.”
And yes, he’s taking extra precautions. “I don’t cook, I don’t touch glass,” he joked, flashing the kind of self-awareness and dry humor fans have come to appreciate from the usually reserved Texan.
But while the pasta mishap made headlines, it didn’t derail what turned out to be another monster year for Scheffler. He racked up six wins in 2025, including two majors - the PGA Championship and The Open Championship - and on Wednesday, he was named a nominee for his fourth straight PGA Tour Player of the Year award. That kind of sustained excellence doesn’t happen by accident.
“The consistency that I played with this year, I’m extremely proud of,” Scheffler said. “I think for me to be able to put in as many top finishes as I did takes a lot of work and takes a lot of energy and focus to be able to do that.”
That consistency didn’t come easy. Early in the season, Scheffler didn’t quite have the results he was hoping for, but he stayed patient - a trait that’s become one of his calling cards.
“I was proud of the discipline that I had throughout the season,” he said, “and not only that discipline but also staying patient in the beginning of the year when things weren’t going as I’d hoped they would.”
Now, he’s back at an event that’s quietly become his personal playground. Scheffler has won the last two editions of the Hero World Challenge, and while it’s an unofficial event on the calendar, it’s one he takes seriously - especially when it comes to testing his game and any new gear.
“I would say that’s a lot of what’s really valuable for me about this week,” he explained. “Testing things out in competition is a good way of kind of seeing where you’re at.
You can simulate competition at home, but coming out here and playing stroke play is always a bit different over the course of four days. I find this week to be pretty valuable.”
In other words, don’t let the tropical setting fool you - this is work, not vacation. For Scheffler, the Hero World Challenge is a chance to fine-tune, recalibrate, and get a feel for where his game stands heading into another grind of a season. And if the last few years are any indication, the rest of the field would be wise to take notice.
Scheffler’s not just the top-ranked player in the world - he’s also setting the standard for what sustained excellence looks like in today’s game. And as he tees it up in the Bahamas once again, he’s not just defending a title - he’s setting the tone for what could be another unforgettable year.