Scottie Scheffler further delayed the start of his 2025 season, devastating fans by withdrawing from the 2025 American Express tournament in California next week.
The world number one, 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 punctured glass over Christmas.
Curiously, the American injured his hand while preparing his family's Christmas dinner, which led to a medical procedure and withdrawal from the season-opening Sentry tournament in Hawaii.
He had planned to return for the event in Palm Desert, California, from January 16 to 19, but has now confirmed that he will not participate in it either.
In a statement on Instagram, he confirmed the news and revealed that he hopes to be ready to go to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in time.
“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'm still hoping to start my 2025 season at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.”
Fans will have to wait a little longer to see Scottie Scheffler play in a tournament in 2025
Scheffler was caught with a piece of glass in his hand while preparing Christmas dinner for his family.
That tournament in California begins Jan. 30, giving the world's No. 1 player the rest of this month before he plans to step onto the first tee in an attempt to win his first tournament of the year.
There is a $20 million purse for the event, the largest of the season so far, and it is one of the PGA Tour's “signature events.”
From there, the schedule moves on to the Genesis Invitational, where another $20 million is at stake.
Last year, Scheffler won his first tournament in March at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, before winning the Players Championship a week later.