Scottie Scheffler. Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Scottie Scheffler's dominance is exposing the unfortunate truth about the PGA Tour

By Jack Dougherty | Last updated Jun 25, 2024 8:23 AM ET

It's impossible to deny Scottie Scheffler's dominance this season. The World No. 1 just became the first PGA Tour player since 1962 to win six times before July, but his incredible run is only accentuating the fragmented state of professional golf in 2024.

With the ascension of LIV Golf, the most talented golfers in the world are split between two leagues. The PGA Tour still has a stronger roster from top to bottom, but without Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Joaquin Niemann and others competing every week, the gap between Scheffler and the rest of the Tour is much more pronounced.

Part of that problem lies in the PGA Tour's biggest stars failing to pull their weight. Viktor Hovland, who was considered a top-three player in the world after he won the FedEx Cup last year, has just one top-10 finish in 2024.

Jordan Spieth hasn't finished better than 29th since early April. Max Homa has as many missed cuts (two) as top-10 finishes since the Players Championship in March. Rory McIlroy decided not to show up to the Travelers Championship to challenge Scheffler.

6 wins in his last 10 starts.

Scottie Scheffler just keeps on winning pic.twitter.com/Ir6ra25IX7
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 24, 2024

These players — and a few others (looking at you Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler and Matt Fitzpatrick) — are partly to blame, but would Scheffler have six wins this season if LIV Golf didn't exist?

DeChambeau beat him in two of the three major championships. Rahm was the best player in the world a little over a year ago. Niemann, Koepka, Tyrrell Hatton and Dustin Johnson have all won on the rival tour this year. Cameron Smith, Dean Burmester and Patrick Reed are capable of beating the best in the world on any given week.

This isn't to downplay Scheffler's recent brilliance. The 28-year-old leads the PGA Tour this season in total strokes gained, strokes gained from tee to green, proximity to the hole, birdie average, bogey avoidance and scoring average.

He's been mesmerizing to watch, but golf desperately needs a fearless Scheffler challenger, and no one on the PGA Tour seems interested in (or capable of) assuming that role.

Jack Dougherty

Jack Dougherty has been writing professionally since 2015, contributing to publications such as GoPSUSports. com, Centre Daily Times, Associated Press, and Sportscasting. com

More must-reads: