The National Football League season has started this week, which works out perfectly for the PGA Tour’s schedule. The PGA Tour’s main events end before the NFL season, ensuring that the bigger events on the PGA Tour do not compete for television ratings with football. However, as the golf season comes to a close, there are still tournaments to be played for golfers trying to make the top 125 players and secure an exemption for 2025. Looking back on the 2024 PGA Tour season, it was a year filled with historic moments and remarkable achievements.
Scottie Scheffler had a year of history, winning seven PGA Tour events including the Masters, the Players Championship, and the Tour Championship. His dominance on the tour has been compared to some of Tiger Woods’ best years, with 13 wins in three years, including two majors. The question now is what will 2025 have in store for him as he continues his impressive streak of victories.
The 2024 PGA Tour season showcased a lineup of star-studded players, with the No. 1 player in the world, Scottie Scheffler, winning seven times and adding an Olympic gold medal to his collection. Xander Schauffele broke through with two major championships, while Rory McIlroy won twice on the PGA Tour and Bryson DeChambeau had a successful year on the LIV Tour. The season was filled with twists and turns as these top players battled it out on the greens.
One of the biggest surprises of the 2024 season was Nick Dunlap’s victory at The American Express. As an amateur and the reigning U.S. Amateur champion at the time, Dunlap played on a sponsor’s exemption and went on to win the tournament with a stunning performance. He became the first golfer to win as an amateur on the PGA Tour in 33 years, solidifying his place in golf history. Later in the season, Dunlap also won the Barracuda Championship, making him the first golfer to win on the tour as both an amateur and a professional in the same season.
Grayson Murray’s story in 2024 took a tragic turn, despite his initial success on the PGA Tour. After winning his first PGA Tour event in seven years at the Sony Open in Hawaii, Murray struggled with substance abuse and mental health issues. Sadly, the 30-year-old golfer withdrew from a tournament in May and was found dead by suicide the following day. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle against addiction and mental health challenges that many athletes face.
The 2024 season began with speculation about potential deals between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, as well as Strategic Sports Group’s investment in the PGA Tour. While no deal has been finalized between the PGA Tour and the PIF, the financial support from SSG has provided a temporary boost to the PGA Tour. Any potential agreement between the two golf leagues is unlikely to take effect until the 2026 season, as negotiations continue to unfold.
Larry Bohannan, the golf writer for The Desert Sun, part of the USA Today Network, has been closely following the developments in the world of golf. For more insights and updates on the latest golf news, you can contact him at (760) 778-4633 or larry.bohannan@desertsun.com. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter at @larry_bohannan to stay informed about the upcoming events and tournaments in the world of golf. Support local journalism and stay connected with the latest golfing trends and stories.
