Scottie Scheffler’s 2026 season had become a story of “almosts” and “what ifs.” He lost a playoff at the Travelers Championship, ended his 1,428-day made-cut streak at the Genesis Scottish Open, and arrived at the FedEx St. Jude Championship with five runner-up finishes. Another heartbreak seemed possible, but he changed it all in Memphis, the site of his pro debut in 2018.

Scheffler won the first FedExCup playoff event by eight shots for his 21st PGA Tour win and his second PGA Tour title of the season. It, fortunately, also ended his 203-day winless streak, starting with the win at The American Express. Like most winners at a press conference, Scheffler sounded relieved at finally getting things done after a long wait.

Scottie Scheffler considers the win a lesson, so should you

Scheffler made his TPC Southwind debut in 2018, but the course would wait another year to host the playoff event. However, unlike popular assumption, the 2018 FedEx St. Jude Championship wasn’t his first PGA Tour start. That came some four years earlier when, as a 17-year-old amateur, he played the HP Byron Nelson Championship. Scheffler remembers it all to this day. 

“This tournament, I felt like I’ve learned a lot at this tournament over the years. It was my second start on the PGA TOUR, I think back in 2014, and then my first start as a pro in 2018. I’ve played this tournament a number of times now, and definitely proud to be walking away with the trophy this week,” he stated following his win at the St. Jude Championship. But is that all? Not really. 

Before his win here, Scheffler had finished the weeks at TPC Southwind with T4 and T3, so it’s not like he hadn’t come close before.

Yet, he stated, “This is a golf course that I feel it’s challenged me over the years. I had a few good starts the last couple years, but outside of that I hadn’t played my best golf around this course. It was nice to come out this week and play some solid golf and really execute when I needed to.” The gratitude, as always, has stuck with him. That is why he is always careful.

Scheffler takes it as seriously as any other golfer

The victory carried added weight because of how often Scheffler had been close without winning in 2026. By the end of June, he had recorded four runner-up finishes. The fourth came at the Travelers Championship on June 29, when Viktor Hovland beat him in a one-hole playoff. His previous three runner-up results came at the Masters (lost to Rory McIlroy), the RBC Heritage (lost to Matt Fitzpatrick) and the Cadillac Championship (defeated by Cameron Young). A fifth runner-up finish followed at the 3M Open (defeated by Jackson Koivun).

But his Sunday round wasn’t perfect, not when his ball bounced off a sprinkler head and into the water on the 3rd.

“I told Teddy when we were going down there to drop my ball, and I was like when is this going to stop happening? He’s like, I don’t know, man,” Scheffler recalled. 

He quickly bounced back with a birdie at the fifth and steadied himself after the only bogey of his final round. Scheffler admitted that his putter played as large a role as his swing. He said it was probably the best putting week of his career, which aligned with the PGA Tour’s Strokes Gained: Putting data. Usually known for his ball-striking, Scheffler separated himself in Memphis with the putter as well.

Overall, though, he was glad. “I felt like a week like this was coming. I felt like I was on repeat all year just being like, ‘Hey, I’m playing solid. I’m close.’ It feels good to be answering some different questions at the end of this week.”

The unique solution behind beating the heat and the multiple records

The temperature in Memphis was hotter than usual. So much so that the pros found a solution even before the tournament began. Justin Rose used a parasol, and Michael Brennan focused on electrolytes. Staying cool and hydrated was necessary, and that’s something even Scheffler realized.

“I was dipping my hands in the coolers, rubbing ice over my body. And just trying to stay cool out there. That’s part of the work that it takes is putting in the effort before and after to make sure I stay hydrated the entire week,” he said. Adjusting to Texas heat at home helped him prepare for Memphis in August, Scheffler added. Whatever he did, it worked in his favor. 

His second-round 61 on Friday tied the course record. He carried the advantage through Saturday and entered R4 with a two-shot lead, his first 54-hole lead in more than a year. Scheffler closed with a 4-under 66 to finish at 17-under 263, eight shots ahead of Si Woo Kim.

It was the largest margin of victory in the 68-year history of tournament play at TPC Southwind, surpassing John Cook’s seven-shot win in 1996. The eight-shot margin was also the largest on the PGA Tour in 2026. It was Scheffler’s second career victory by eight shots, following the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Only Tiger Woods has recorded more PGA Tour victories by eight shots or more.

But no, Scheffler wasn’t all business during the press conference.

Scheffler has demands about Ted Scott’s mustache

Ted Scott arrived at TPC Southwind with a mustache, and Scheffler, as is pretty much known now, didn’t like it one bit. Ahead of the tournament, he quipped that “he looks stupid” with the new facial hair. But now that he won his second title after such a long wait, Scheffler couldn’t help but admit, “If he shaves it tomorrow, I’m gonna be like, hey man, what are we doing? You heard it here first, guys, the moustache stays.” 

And yes, he was laughing about it.

But there was another conversation waiting to happen: he has won his first tournament since his second son was born. How does he feel about it?

TPC Southwind win was Remy’s first

The win meant more than just returning to Memphis.

It was also Scheffler’s first victory since the birth of his second son, Remy, who was born in March. And it was special. 

“It’s been a busy year, adding Remy to the mix. I think he spent more time away from the house traveling than he has been at home for his lifetime. He’s a little trooper, and so is my wife and other son. It’s nice to be able to celebrate a win this week,” Scheffler said of winning in front of his sons.

In fact, his wife and both of his toddlers were present on the 18th when he dropped the final putt, as is visible in this heartwarming moment shared by Golf on CBS on X. Scottie immediately hugged his wife and son, soaking in a beautiful family moment that made his big victory even more special.

Maintaining the work-life balance and more

“I’m always trying to work on is just continuing to get the most out of each day, just be where my feet are. “I don’t want to be at the golf course thinking about anything else other than my practice. I don’t want to be at home wishing I could have done more practice. I want to be at home with my kids, with my wife. And I feel like that’s something I’m always trying to work on, just trying to be present and get the most out of out of each day,” Scheffler stated.

Coming from him, it matters. Because once the final putt drops, so does Scheffler’s tough attitude. That’s why each win with his sons present is so special to him. For instance, since the birth of his first son in 2024, Bennett, Scheffler has enjoyed plenty of success.

That season, Scheffler won the FedExCup title, with Bennett even posing inside the trophy as a newborn. Then came Scheffler’s historic victory at the Open Championship and his triumph at The American Express, all with Bennett along for the ride to celebrate on the 18th green.

Remy had a very different start. He had already watched plenty of golf, but he had never seen his dad win a trophy. Scheffler even withdrew from the Texas Children’s Houston Open around the time Remy was born.

After a summer full of close calls, Remy finally got to see his dad win on Sunday. And, honestly, not a bad memory.

Scheffler now moves on to the BMW Championship, the second of three FedExCup Playoffs events, with the TOUR Championship at East Lake still to follow. The top 50 players advance to the BMW Championship, and only the top 30 after that event qualify for the TOUR Championship.