A Dominant Start to the Season

LA QUINTA, Calif. — Scottie Scheffler began his season with a performance that showed no signs of slowing down. During the final round of The American Express, he carded four birdies over six holes, securing a four-shot victory over 18-year-old Blades Brown and the rest of the field. Scheffler closed with a 6-under 66, showcasing his ability to maintain composure under pressure.

This win marked Scheffler’s 20th PGA Tour title, all within the last four years. His consistency has earned him a lifetime membership on the tour. What stands out even more is his dominance—nine of those 20 victories came by four shots or more. At just 29 years old, Scheffler has already secured 20 wins and four major championships, a feat only matched by Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods before their 30th birthdays.

“It’s pretty wild,” Scheffler said. “It’s been a great start to my career. It’s been special. I try not to think about that stuff too much. I was just trying to do the things I needed to do to be prepared.”

A New Star Emerges

Blades Brown, who recently graduated high school, made history by playing eight consecutive days of PGA Tour-sanctioned events. This included a Korn Ferry Tour event in the Bahamas that concluded just days before The American Express. Despite the grueling schedule, Brown showed promise, finishing tied for second after the first two rounds.

However, the pressure of the moment seemed to take its toll. Brown entered the final day one shot behind leader Si Woo Kim and one shot ahead of Scheffler. By the time they reached the par-3 fourth hole, Brown had fallen five shots behind, while Scheffler was gaining momentum.

Scheffler’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. He hit a 8-iron to within two feet on the fourth hole for a birdie and found the fairway on the par-5 fifth. Meanwhile, Brown struggled, hitting into water on the fourth hole and facing a difficult recovery. He ended up with a double bogey, which derailed his chances.

Brown went 11 holes without a birdie and finished with a 74, dropping from a tie for second to a tie for 18th. This result cost him a spot at Torrey Pines next week. Despite the loss, Brown remained positive.

“Eight rounds I know sounds like a lot, but I was having a lot of fun,” he said. “You’re telling me I get to play in a PGA Tour event and to play with Scottie Scheffler and see him win it, that was insane. I got some things I got to sharpen up, and hopefully we see if we can do what Scottie’s doing.”

Other Contenders and Key Moments

Jason Day finished as the runner-up, closing with a 64 that moved him up 18 spots. He tied with Ryan Gerard, Matt McCarty, and Andrew Putnam. Si Woo Kim, who often plays with Scheffler at Royal Oaks in Dallas, also had a tough day. He lost ground on the par-5 eighth hole after taking two shots to escape a greenside bunker and missed a crucial par putt. However, he managed to salvage a 72 with three birdies on the back nine, tying for sixth.

Scheffler maintained his lead throughout the day. He nearly holed a chip on the par-5 11th hole for a tap-in birdie and hit a wedge into 2 feet on the next hole for another birdie. By the time he reached the 13th tee, he had a four-shot lead.

The only hiccup came on the par-3 17th hole, known as “Alcatraz,” where Scheffler hit a tee shot into the water. He took a double bogey, but it didn’t affect the outcome. By then, he had built a comfortable margin over the strongest field The American Express has seen in decades.

Looking Ahead

Scheffler will take a week off before heading to the Phoenix Open, where his remarkable run began four years ago. He won his first PGA Tour title in a playoff, but recent performances have shown that the competition hasn’t been as close lately. With his current form, it’s clear that Scheffler is setting a new standard for excellence in golf.