Scottie Scheffler takes over PGA Tour money lead in his first start

By the margin of only $18,000 ― a mere pittance by the standards of the money today’s PGA Tour pros make ― Scottie Scheffler is the Tour’s money leader after winning his first start on Jan. 25 at The American Express in La Quinta, Calif.

He’s used to life at the top.

Scheffler’s four-shot victory over Jason Day earned him $1,656,000 for his 20^th PGA Tour title and he supplanted last week’s Sony Open winner, Chris Gotterup ($1,638,000), who did not play at The American Express.

Scottie Scheffler tees off on four of the Pete Dye Stadium Course during the final round of The American Express in La Quinta, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026.

Since the overall purse at the AMEX was $100,000 higher than the Sony Open ($9.2 million), Scheffler’s take was a bit higher than what Gotterup earned in Hawaii. Ryan Gerard is close behind at $1,608,300, thanks to his second solo finish in a row.

Victory was a first for Scheffler

In addition to winning his 20^th title (ensuring lifetime exempt status for most PGA Tour events), Scheffler became the second-youngest player to reach 20 wins (after Tiger Woods).

He also won his first start of the season for the first time in his career, and hence, it’s the earliest he’s taken the lead on the money list. Scheffler has been the money champion the last four years in a row (and the PGA Tour Player of the Year all four years).

Scheffler will join Tiger, Rory McIlroy

Scheffler is on the brink of another career milestone. He needs only $546,864 to become golf’s third player to reach $100 million in career earnings.

Woods leads with $120,999,166. Rory McIlroy reached that figure last year and has $107,981,766. Scheffler has earned $99,453,136.

Scheffler’s next start could be the WM Phoenix Open Feb. 5-8 at the TPC Scottsdale, where he’s won twice, including his first career victory in 2022. If he finishes third or better in that event, he would pass $100 million.