By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-07 02:23:13 | Updated at 2025-01-08 06:29:20
1 day ago
Scottie Scheffler has further delayed the start of his 2025 season, devastating fans by pulling out of the American Express 2025 tournament in California next week.
The world No. 1, who enjoyed a dominant 2024 in which he won his second major at the Masters and gold at the Olympics, underwent hand surgery to repair a glass puncture over Christmas.
Bizarrely, the American injured his hand while preparing his family's Christmas dinner, leading to a medical procedure and him pulling out of the season-opening Sentry tournament in Hawaii.
He had planned on returning for the Palm Desert, California event from January 16-19, but he has now confirmed he will also not take part in that.
In a statement on Instagram, he confirmed the news and revealed he hopes to be ready to go in time for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
'After consulting with my medical team,' Scheffler's statement began, 'I have made the decision to withdraw from next week's American Express tournament to give my injury more time to heal.
'I am still hopeful to begin my 2025 season at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.'
Fans will have to wait a little longer to watch Scottie Scheffler play a tournament in 2025
Scheffler got a piece of glass stuck in his hand while preparing Christmas dinner for his family
That tournament in California begins on January 30, giving the world's No 1 player the rest of this month before he plans to step on the first tee in a bid to win his first tournament of the year.
There is a $20million prize pot for the event, the largest of the season so far, and it is one of the PGA Tour's 'signature events'.
From there, the calendar moves on to the Genesis Invitational, in which there is another $20million up for grabs.
Last year, Scheffler won his first tournament in March at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, before going on to win the Players Championship a week later.
