Scottie Scheffler holds off great season as we look at where the men's game is headed in 2025 – Golf News

With seven wins on the PGA Tour including the Masters, his FedEx Cup success and Olympic gold, Scheffler has put together an outstanding season.

Scottie Scheffler's victory at the Tour Championship capped off a fine season for the world number one and provides an opportunity to reflect on the state of the elite men's game.

Here, golfnews.co.uk looks at the situation towards 2025.

Will Scheffler's reign continue?

With seven wins on the PGA Tour including the Masters, his FedEx Cup success and an Olympic gold medal, Scheffler has put together an outstanding season.

He has not been deterred by constant comparisons to Tiger Woods and has proven that he can bring the pressure. Like all players, he still makes mistakes but has shown the mental strength to recover from them.

If there is one part of his game that could be improved it is his putting, but he is close to being a complete player. Form can come and go but with such courage and consistency, there are many reasons to believe his reign can continue.

Hasn't he faced stiff competition?

Yes, of course. Despite Scheffler's prominence, he wasn't the only show in town. Xander Schauffele has moved closer to the 2024 player of the year title, having captured the US PGA Championship and the Open titles. Since Bryson DeChambeau won the US Open, all four majors have been taken by Americans, which means there is a lot of competition from his country.

Players like Collin Morikawa, Wyndham Clark, Patrick Cantlay and LIV player Brooks Koepka all add to the strength of the US. Sweden's Ludvig Aberg will be hoping to start after an impressive first full year on the major circuit and a threat from Rory McIlroy.

Where is McIlroy?

With the world number three and another couple of tournament wins under his belt, there is no doubt that McIlroy has had another good year.

But after a decade-long barren run in the majors, he may be looking at it differently. His near miss at the US Open made him very sad at the moment.

Unlike the 2022 Open at St Andrews when he was caught by the onrushing Cameron Smith, this time he was only able to kick himself after putting down two costly short putts.

He has since admitted that there will be a shadow over the remainder of his year and he may reduce his schedule in the future. No one doubts the quality of the Northern Irishman but his search for a great magic formula continues.

How are things going?

Elite men's golf remains fractured with no apparent end to merger talks between the main tour and the breakaway, Saudi-sponsored LIV Golf. LIV Jon Rahm's attack failed to speed up negotiations and the PGA Tour continued with its 'signature' series in an attempt to avoid future defection.

This long standing saga is very damaging to the reputation of the sport and will remain so as long as it continues.

Could it affect the Ryder Cup?

Europe's preparations for the 2023 event have been hampered by LIV – not to mention the forced change of captain – and could be again if Rahm, one of their key players, misses the qualification.

Americans may also be affected but whether this is in the minds remains to be seen. Construction of Bethpage next year has already begun.

With Luke Donald having been around for a long time, Europe looks to be well organized this time around compared to the Americans, who have called up Keegan Bradley too late and could face a problem if he is also eligible as a player.