The 2026 PGA Tour season is drawing to a close, with only two tournaments left on the calendar. The debate about who has been the best player on the circuit this year is still ongoing, with several candidates vying for the top spot. World No. 2 and three-time PGA Tour Player of the Year, Rory McIlroy, has weighed in on the issue, and his opinion is no surprise to fans of the sport.

When asked about the topic ahead of the BMW Championship, McIlroy was quick to rule out his own chances, stating that he is not the player of the year. His answer, however, was not a surprise, as he has consistently named world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler as the standout player of the season. ‘No, I’m not the Player of the Year. No chance. Scottie [Scheffler] is,’ McIlroy said with a laugh. ‘Well, sorry, there’s two weeks to go, but I firsthand watched him for the first two days last week, and he if he keeps playing like that…if he gains nine strokes on the greens every week, we’re all f’d.’

Consistency: The Key to Success

Scheffler’s consistency has been a major factor in his success this season. Despite not having the most wins on the PGA Tour in 2026, Scheffler has managed to rack up 12 top-five finishes in 18 tournaments. Five of those finishes have been runner-up spots, and he has missed just one cut all season. This kind of consistency is what sets Scheffler apart from his competitors, and it’s a major reason why McIlroy believes he is the player of the year.

Scheffler’s recent performance at the St. Jude Championship is a perfect example of his consistency. He lapped the field by eight strokes, finishing ahead of the top-70 players on the PGA Tour. This kind of dominance is what separates the best players from the rest, and it’s a major reason why Scheffler is in the running for the player of the year award.

Recency Bias: A Factor in Scheffler’s Favor

McIlroy’s comments about Scheffler’s recent performance are also a testament to the power of recency bias. When a player is playing well, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the moment and overlook their previous performances. Scheffler’s recent win at the St. Jude Championship is a perfect example of this, as he dominated the field and left his competitors in the dust. This kind of performance is what makes Scheffler a strong candidate for the player of the year award.

In conclusion, McIlroy’s endorsement of Scheffler for the PGA Tour Player of the Year award is not a surprise. Scheffler’s consistency and recent performance have made him a strong candidate for the award, and it’s clear that McIlroy believes he is the best player on the circuit this year. While there are still two weeks left in the season, Scheffler’s chances of taking home the award are looking strong.

Other players, such as Cameron Young and Matt Fitzpatrick, are also in the running for the award, but Scheffler’s consistency and recent performance make him the likeliest candidate to take home the prize. The debate is still ongoing, but it’s clear that Scheffler is the player to beat.

Only time will tell if Scheffler can take home the award, but one thing is certain: he is the player to watch in the final two weeks of the season.