World number one golfer Scottie Scheffler will be sidelined for the upcoming Sentry Tournament of Champions due to a hand injury sustained on Christmas Day. Scheffler's manager, Blake Smith, released a statement explaining that the PGA Player of the Year suffered a puncture wound to his right hand from broken glass while preparing dinner. Small glass fragments lodged in his palm necessitated a surgical procedure. Smith indicated that Scheffler is expected to make a full recovery within three to four weeks.
Scheffler's withdrawal from the Sentry Tournament marks an unexpected start to the 2025 golf season, following a record-breaking 2024. The American Express, scheduled to begin January 16th, is currently slated as his next tournament appearance. This year, the Sentry holds the distinction of being the first of eight signature events on the PGA Tour.
Scheffler's 2024 season was nothing short of extraordinary. He began the year with a string of top 10 finishes, followed by a remarkable run of four victories and a second-place finish in five consecutive events. Among his wins were the Arnold Palmer Invitational, The Players Championship, the RBC Heritage, and the prestigious Masters Tournament.
Despite a mid-season incident involving an arrest prior to the PGA Championship, Scheffler maintained his exceptional form, ultimately securing victory at both the Memorial and Travelers Championship in June. He capped off his remarkable year with an Olympic gold medal in Paris. His seven PGA Tour wins in 2024 marked the highest single-season victory total since 2007.
Scheffler's outstanding performance culminated in an unprecedented $54 million in prize money, including a $25 million bonus for winning the FedEx Cup, setting a new record for single-season earnings.
