2026 PGA Tour Preview
What will happen in 2026 after we saw a 2025 that included: Scottie Scheffler dominating as usual, Rory winning the Grand Slam and Europe taking another Ryder Cup.
Those were the main things. But there were plenty more. And that leads us to the Super 6 burning questions for this year in golf.
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Scottie Scheffler
Will Scottie Scheffler slow down? Unlikely. He needs the U.S. Open to complete the career Grand Slam. There are no holes in his game. He’s likely to not start the year with a broken wine glass and injury or an eventual arrest for doing nothing. 4-5-6 wins is probably the floor and at least a major, maybe two. He is special and historical and everyone who loves golf can’t wait to see what’s next.
- Who will breakout like J.J. Spaun and Ben Griffin did last year? Spaun won the U.S. Open and became a fan favorite and his game stayed steady. Griffin, meanwhile, had two Top 10 finishes in majors, was named to the Ryder Cup team, sharpened every part of his game and won three times on tour. There are three guys to keep in mind for 2026. Rico Hoey, who is a terrific ball-striker and better putter after the switch to the broomstick. Michael Thorbjornsen, who has three Top 3 finishes on Tour and is an improving putter and wedge player who can also ball-strike well. Max Greysermen, who has five runner-up finishes in two years as a member.
- Who wins major #1? The top candidates are Victor Hovland, Cam Young and Tommy Fleetwood. Fleetwood became someone we all cheered for to get that first PGA win and monkey off his back. No one felt bad for him with $30 million in the bank. But, eventually, you want wins, too. Young is so talented. Six Top 10 finishes in majors and he was great over the second half of 2025 and in the Ryder Cup. If he is clutch on the greens consistently this season, look out. Hovland, meanwhile, is so good and so young, but it just hasn’t lined up for him. Huge upside, great overall game and a Top 5 finish in a major each of the last four years. He’s ready to win on golf’s biggest stages.
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Brooks Koepka
Which major provides the most drama? We ask that every year. They all mostly deliver annually. This year we have the usual Masters at Augusta National. Then, it’s the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania, the U.S. Open at historic Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York and the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in England. Nice lineup. Stay tuned.
- The rebound group? Justin Thomas is injured. Colin Morikawa and Jordan Spieth are battling their swings. So is Hovland to a degree. All these guys are veterans on the Tour at this point and the game is better when they’re fighting at the top regularly. Can JT, CM and JS rise back up to elite status?
- Welcome back, Brooks Koepka. Koepka has been reinstated by the PGA Tour through the “Returning Member Program” and will make his first start on 1-29. Two conditions. No payouts from the Player Equity Program for five years and no FedEx Cup bonus program in 2026. We are positive, though, that Brooks has plenty of money. He accepted the financial penalties and now will move on. It could even be a big year for him. He’s a big game player who has five major wins on the resume and is still searching for his first Masters and Open Championship wins.
Mike Lindsley has been in sports media for 30 years. Subscribe to his YouTube channel @mlsportsplatter and download and subscribe to the ML Sports Platter audio version on Apple and Spotify.
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