2024 PGA Tour Player of the Year: Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy headline nominees

The nominees for PGA Tour Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year were announced Monday. Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy make up the three-way race for the Jack Nicklaus Award, while Nick Dunlap, Max Greyserman, Jake Knapp and Matthieu Pavon are among those in the running for the Arnold Palmer Award.

Scheffler was named Player of the Year in 2022 and 2023, becoming the first since Tiger Woods from 2005 to 2007 to emerge as a back-to-back winner. He has an excellent chance to follow in Woods’ footsteps and win the award for the third consecutive season. After one of the best statistical seasons of all time in 2023, Scheffler has paired his consistent production with consistent trips to the winner’s circle in 2024.

The world No. 1 competed in 19 events and walked away with seven trophies, including the Masters, the Players Championship, four marquee events and the Tour Championship. Scheffler got his hands on the FedEx Cup trophy as well as the Olympic gold medal in what can only be described as an unforgettable summer. He won the Byron Nelson Award for lowest scoring average (68.65) for the second straight season and led the PGA Tour in top 10 finishes with 16.

While Scheffler put together one of the best seasons in PGA Tour history, Schauffele put together one of the best major championship campaigns of all time. After finishing in the top 10 at the Masters, Schauffele won the PGA Championship in spectacular fashion for his first career major title. Another top 10 came at the US Open before Schauffele left without doubt on Sunday at Royal Troon where he carded a final round 65 to win the Open and lift the Claret Jug.

Over the course of 22 PGA Tour events, Schauffele recorded 15 top-10 finishes and didn’t miss a cut. He holds the longest active streak of cuts (56) since Woods’ record of 142 consecutive from 1998 to 2005.

McIlroy finds himself nominated for a third consecutive season. A three-time winner of the award, the 35-year-old has had another consistent season and won trophies at the Zurich Classic alongside Shane Lowry and the Wells Fargo Championship. He finished sixth in scoring average (69.91) and collected seven top 10s in 19 starts.

The race for Rookie of the Year could be closer than many initially thought. Nick Dunlap took the lead early when he won the American Express as an amateur. Turning professional soon after, the Alabama product once again etched his name in the history books by winning the Barracuda Championship. Dunlap is the first player in PGA Tour history to win as both an amateur and professional in the same season.

He’s not the only rookie to win in 2024, however. Journeyman Matthieu Pavon entered the winner’s circle the week after Dunlap’s victory at American Express. Coming off a crowded leaderboard at Torrey Pines, the Frenchman won the Farmers Insurance Open. The 32-year-old then had top-five finishes at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the US Open where he played in the final group on Sunday. Pavon was also the only rookie to qualify for the Tour Championship.

Knapp’s season was highlighted by his victory at the Mexican Open. Collecting three more top-10 finishes in his first outing on the PGA Tour, Knapp was hampered late in the season due to injury. This is exactly the same time that Greyserman seemed to find his footing.

The 29-year-old has competed in 26 events and has done everything but win. Finishing second at the 3M Open, Wyndham Championship and Zozo Championship, Greyserman did enough to finish in the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings. He recorded three more top-10 finishes and finished ninth with a points average (70.00).

Both awards will be determined by member voting, with PGA Tour members who have competed in at least 15 official FedEx Cup events during the 2024 season eligible to vote. Voting will close on Wednesday December 4 and the winners will be announced at the end of the year.