LA QUINTA, Calif. — Scottie Scheffler cracked a smile at the unusual question. After years of answering predictable queries while winning an astounding 27% of his tournaments, someone finally asked where he’d want his ashes scattered.
His answer came quickly: “The range at Royal Oaks. That’s where I spend most of my time.”
That’s exactly where Scheffler was grinding away before heading to the California desert for The American Express. He lurked around the lead for three days before suddenly—but not surprisingly—building a six-shot advantage. That’s become something of a pattern for him.
There’s skill involved, certainly, but there’s also relentless work.
Scheffler talks constantly about preparation, whether it’s building strength in the gym or perfecting a swing that rarely misfires. When he wins, he plucks the ball from the cup and pockets it like he’s just finished a casual money game at Royal Oaks. Then he’s off to prepare for the next challenge.
“Rinse and repeat,” he said with a grin on the 18th green at PGA West.
How long can this continue? Winning never gets old, but the work behind it can. It’s fair to wonder if the routine might eventually lead to burnout.
But there’s always the range at Royal Oaks, where Scheffler first appeared as a 6-year-old and Randy Smith spent two hours watching the kid’s long swing make solid contact, over and over.
“At certain levels there’s definitely risk of burnout,” Scheffler said after his four-shot victory, his ninth win by at least that margin on the PGA Tour. “I think that’s why you have to strike a balance. But I like routine. I like practicing. I like working out. I like doing what I need to do in order to play well. That’s still fun for me.
“I think if somebody was making me do it, then it would be a lot harder,” he said. “But I don’t feel pressure from anything external to do the things I do.”
It’s not all enjoyable. But everything has purpose.
“Like when I wake up early, do I want to get in the cold tub every morning? Absolutely not,” Scheffler said. “But it’s something that helps me in order to play well. Did I dread doing cardio? Yeah. But I always love to practice.”
Scheffler uses the word “fun” often, and winning certainly enhances the experience. For him, fun isn’t about lifting trophies—it’s seeing his hard work pay off.
His latest victory marks his 20th on the PGA Tour and 23rd overall—including an Olympic medal in Paris—all within the last four years. He joins Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus as the only players with four majors and 20 PGA Tour wins before turning 30.
Jason Day is among those impressed by Scheffler’s run. He speaks from experience, having been world No. 1 and winning seven times over 17 starts a decade ago. Scheffler has won 14 times in his last 35 starts, with no signs of slowing down.
“That is one of the most difficult things to do, to stay hungry to the point of not being satisfied,” Day said. “Because it’s very easy to get satisfied out here. You win a couple of times, you’re like, ‘Well, I’m kind of relaxed and I can coast for a little bit.’ And it seems like he never wants to relax.
“He always does his work, needs to do whatever he needs to do to be able to prepare, and he’s always around the lead.”
Rinse and repeat, back to the range at Royal Oaks.
This is a golf nerd of the highest order. Perhaps Scheffler’s biggest challenge is learning to switch off. He played pickleball a few years ago. He got into coffee. These aren’t just diversions—they’re necessary distractions.
“I spend most of my time thinking about golf,” he said. “I have to force myself to think about other things or I’ll start thinking about golf. So if I want to take a break, I have to dive in to do something. It’s not just a game. This is my work.”
While it’s a new year, Scheffler said last week it doesn’t feel like one. The difference is he enters 2026 with momentum, not stitches in his right hand that he sliced open with a wine glass while making ravioli during the holidays in 2024.
Last year he technically missed only two tournaments he normally plays. But it felt like three months lost considering he had to restart his offseason plan of conditioning and practice. He didn’t hit his stride until late March. That was the last time he finished outside the top 10—a streak now at 16 consecutive PGA Tour events.
Maybe he’s just getting started. What’s next? A week at home, for starters, that will undoubtedly include time on the range at Royal Oaks.
“There’s nothing better than hitting the ball exactly the way you want to,” Scheffler said. “That’s one of the best feelings ever.”
