The two-time defending champion returns to Albany Golf Course this week with his sights set on making history at the Hero World Challenge. Scottie Scheffler, fresh off a dominant 2025 season that saw him capture six PGA TOUR victories, including two major championships, is attempting to become the first player to win three consecutive titles at this prestigious event.
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A Season Worth Celebrating
Scheffler’s 2025 campaign was nothing short of spectacular. The Dallas native claimed both the PGA Championship and The Open Championship, adding two more major trophies to his growing collection. His consistency throughout the year was remarkable: 17 top-10 finishes without a single missed cut, and he led the TOUR in several key statistical categories including Par 4 Scoring Average and Bounce Back Percentage.
When asked about his fondest memory from the season, Scheffler didn’t hesitate. “I think any season which you’re able to win major championships I think is very special, especially being able to win multiple majors,” he said during his pre-tournament press conference. “The Open Championship, the Claret Jug is a pretty cool trophy to have in your possession. I think I underestimated what that feels like and I’ve really enjoyed kind of having that at home and being able to celebrate with that.”
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Testing Ground for 2026
The Hero World Challenge serves a unique purpose for Scheffler beyond the pursuit of another trophy. After taking a break following the Ryder Cup, he views this week as an opportunity to test equipment and get back into competitive rhythm before the 2026 season begins.
“I would say that’s a lot of what’s really valuable for me about this week,” Scheffler 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.”
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This week, Scheffler is putting a new TaylorMade driver into play. After struggling to adapt to last year’s Qi35 model, the team at TaylorMade worked closely with him to understand exactly what his eyes needed to see at address. The result is a driver that fits his specifications perfectly, with consistent spin numbers and ball flight that give him confidence.
An Unblemished Record at Albany
Scheffler’s track record at Albany Golf Course borders on the absurd. In his four previous appearances at the venue, he’s never shot an over-par round. That’s 12 consecutive rounds under par, a streak that includes back-to-back victories in 2023 and 2024, plus runner-up finishes in 2021 and 2022.
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His 72-hole total of 263 last year tied the tournament record since the event moved to Albany in 2015, matching Bubba Watson’s mark from the inaugural year at the Bahamas venue. When asked what he loves about the course, Scheffler kept it simple: “I think it’s a good golf course. You’ve got to keep the ball in play.”
Looking Ahead
With the cancellation of the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Maui, Scheffler’s 2026 season will start later than usual. He doesn’t anticipate adding any early-season events to his schedule, preferring instead to use this week as his competitive tune-up.
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The field at Albany includes 11 players who won on TOUR in 2025, and eight who competed in the Ryder Cup. Scheffler will tee off Thursday at 12:25 PM alongside Jordan Spieth, the 2014 Hero World Challenge champion who is making his first start since the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
For a player who won the Byron Nelson Award for Low Scoring Average with a 68.131 mark, the Hero World Challenge represents more than just another tournament. It’s a chance to fine-tune his game, test new equipment under pressure, and potentially etch his name in the record books as the event’s first three-time consecutive champion.
If his past performance at Albany is any indication, the rest of the field should be worried.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the Golf section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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