Scottie Scheffler Avoids Naming Winless PGA Tour Stars, But Praises Them Anyway
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Scottie Scheffler has won 11 of his last 36 official starts on the PGA Tour, while also posting historic results in terms of top-10 finishes, top-25 finishes and cuts made.
However, such an extraordinary performance hasn't made him lose sight of how difficult it is to succeed in professional golf.
He provided further proof at the end of his first round at the BMW Championship, when, in response to reporters' questions, he reflected on the merit of being able to reach the Tour Championship without winning a single tournament.
"In order to win the FedExCup, you have to put together a great body of work," he told the reporters at Caves Valley. "For you to qualify for the Tour Championship, especially without winning a tournament, means you had a great, consistent year."
Scottie Scheffler of the United States walks on the fourth green during the first round of the BMW Championship 2025 at Caves Valley Golf Club on August 14, 2025 in Owings Mills, Maryland.
Scottie Scheffler of the United States walks on the fourth green during the first round of the BMW Championship 2025 at Caves Valley Golf Club on August 14, 2025 in Owings Mills, Maryland.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Naturally, when the terms "winless" and "consistent performance" are combined on the PGA Tour, one thinks directly of Tommy Fleetwood. However, Scheffler declined to associate any specific name with this opinion.
"Playing consistent golf out here and making it to the Tour Championship without winning a golf tournament is pretty difficult," he said. "You look at -- I'm not going to name names -- but you look at seasons like some players have without winning and making it to the FedExCup final, that's a really good year. I think it's extremely hard to win out here on Tour."
It's fair to say that 12 of the current members of the FedEx Cup top 30 have reached this point without winning during the season. If the sample is extended to the entire BMW Championship field, the winless player ratio for the year rises to 27 out of 50.
Tommy Fleetwood finds himself at the top of the leaderboard once again 🙌
He is 4-under through 12 and tied for the lead @BMWchamps.
📺 Golf Channel pic.twitter.com/CoLaFkQ0Lh — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 14, 2025
However, Fleetwood's case remains a standout, as his consistency has been more than demonstrated despite never having won on the PGA Tour. The Englishman, who joined the American-based circuit in 2018, has played in the BMW Championship five times (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024), advancing to the Tour Championship on four of those occasions (except in 2022).
Fleetwood has come close to his first PGA Tour title many times, with six second-place finishes and six third-place finishes. The most recent occasion occurred just a week ago, when he nearly won the FedEx St. Jude Championship (he ultimately finished tied for third).
The eight-time DP World Tour winner started strong again this week, posting a first-round 65 with five birdies and no bogeys at the BMW Championship. After the first 18 holes, he's in second place, three strokes behind Robert MacIntyre.
More Golf: Scottie Scheffler Gives A+ Review of Keegan Bradley's Captaincy
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