World number one, Scottie Scheffler, faces a setback after sustaining a puncture wound to his right hand while preparing Christmas dinner. This freak accident, caused by broken glass, required surgery to remove small glass fragments from his palm. As a result, Scheffler will miss the season-opening Sentry tournament in Maui, scheduled for January 2-5, and is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks. 

Scheffler’s injury comes on the heels of an extraordinary 2024 season, during which he secured seven PGA Tour titles, including his second Masters victory and an Olympic gold medal in Paris. 

He also became the first player since Tiger Woods to win the PGA Tour Player of the Year award three consecutive times. His absence from The Sentry is particularly disappointing as he has yet to claim victory at this event, finishing tied for fifth in 2024.

On possible next steps for him, Scheffler aims to return in time for The American Express tournament in La Quinta, California, starting January 16. His recovery will be closely monitored as he works to maintain his top form and continue his reign as the man at the top. 

The injury raises questions about how it might impact his performance in upcoming tournaments and whether it could affect his candidacy for a fourth Player of the Year award. For now, there is no telling how extensive the injury is or if it will even affect his performance in any way once he’s healed. 

All the same, the timing of this injury is unfortunate for Scheffler, who was set to maintain his streak from this year. This will, no doubt, benefit other players on Tour who will be eager to capitalize on any potential vulnerabilities in Scheffler’s game during his recovery period. The competition is fierce, and with several high-profile tournaments lined up, every week could present opportunities for rivals to gain ground in the rankings.