PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – In a significant announcement made on Wednesday, the PGA TOUR revealed that world No. 1 and 2023 PLAYERS Championship victor Scottie Scheffler has been honored with the Jack Nicklaus Award as the PGA TOUR Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season. This achievement marks Scheffler as the first player to win Player of the Year honors in consecutive seasons since the legendary Tiger Woods’ three-year streak from 2005-07.
Simultaneously, Eric Cole, distinguished as the only rookie to reach the 2023 BMW Championship, has been awarded the PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year, receiving the esteemed Arnold Palmer Award. Cole’s season was highlighted by two runner-up finishes, including a playoff loss at the 2023 Cognizant Classic and a strong showing at the 2023 ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP.
The selection for these prestigious awards was determined through a voting process involving PGA TOUR members who participated in at least 15 official FedExCup events during the 2022-23 season. The voting, which took place from December 1 to December 15, resulted in Scheffler securing 38 percent of the vote for the Jack Nicklaus Award, edging out fellow nominees Wyndham Clark, Viktor Hovland, Rory McIlroy, and Jon Rahm. Cole earned a commanding 51 percent of the vote for the Arnold Palmer Award, surpassing contenders Ludvig Åberg, Nico Echavarria, and Vincent Norrman.
Scheffler’s extraordinary season included two wins: a successful defense at the WM Phoenix Open and a commanding five-stroke victory at THE PLAYERS Championship. In his 23 starts, Scheffler notched an impressive 13 top-five finishes and 17 top 10s, matching the highest single-season records set since 2005 by Vijay Singh and Tiger Woods. Furthermore, Scheffler shattered the PGA TOUR record for most official money earned in a single season with a staggering $21,014,342, eclipsing his own previous record.
Joining the ranks of Fred Couples, Nick Price, and Tiger Woods, Scheffler becomes the fourth player to win the Jack Nicklaus Award in back-to-back seasons since its establishment in 1990. Additionally, he received the Byron Nelson Award for his exceptional scoring average of 68.63, the lowest since Tiger Woods in 2009.
Rookie of the Year Eric Cole finished the season at No. 43 in the official FedExCup standings and was a standout performer during the FedExCup Fall, tallying six top-five finishes throughout the season. His achievement of 554 birdies led the TOUR, further cementing his impressive rookie campaign.
At 35, Cole stands as the second-oldest player to win Rookie of the Year honors since its inception in 1990, following Todd Hamilton who won it at 39 in 2004.
The awards were presented to Scheffler and Cole at The Sentry, marking the PGA TOUR’s season-opening event for the first time since 2013. This recognition for both Scheffler and Cole not only celebrates their individual accomplishments but also sets a high standard for the upcoming season on the PGA TOUR.
