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Johnson Wagner highlights understated change in Scottie Scheffler’s game

Originally posted on HITC | By Jordan Harris | Last updated Feb 12, 2026 1:48 PM ET

Scottie Scheffler had a remarkable 2025, and if he has truly added another layer to his game this season, the rest of the PGA Tour will have every right to be worried.

Scheffler is starting to look like one of the most well-rounded golfers we have ever seen. He has just put together 17 straight top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour.

There are very few mistakes in his game these days. Last year, at 29, he turned into one of the best putters on tour.

Putting had always been seen as a weakness for him. But by the end of last year, he ranked 22nd in strokes gained on the greens.

And early signs in 2026 suggest he may have added yet another layer to his game.

Johnson Wagner notices change in Scottie Scheffler ahead of 2026 season

Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

Scheffler won The American Express, then bounced back from a slow start at the WM Phoenix Open to finish just a shot outside the playoff.

In that context, speaking to CBS Sports, Johnson Wagner pointed out that the world number one’s driving has gone up another level.

“I’m telling you what, he has found a new gear with this driver. It’s still his old driver, but he’s quietly picked up, I’m going to call it eight, nine miles an hour clubhead speed if he needs it.

“There were a couple of shots at The AmEx where he took water out of play, on Stadium no. 5, and then where he hit it on 18, the ball carried 328 yards and rolled out to 352. Scottie Scheffler didn’t have that gear last year and I think the hard work he put in over the off-season is paying off. And I also like that he’s not out talking about how much speed he’s picked up. He’s just doing it the Scottie Scheffler way, quietly.”

How Scottie Scheffler’s driving distance stacks up at the start of 2026

Scheffler averaged 308.3 yards off the tee in 2025, which had him ranked 44th on the PGA Tour for driving distance.

Even though it is early in the season and the sample size is small, he is currently averaging 323.6 yards. Only eight players are hitting it farther right now.

It remains to be seen if Scheffler maintains this level of distance throughout the entire season.

But there is no doubt that having that extra yardage gives him another tool in an already impressive bag, and it is only going to make him tougher to beat.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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