Scottie Scheffler has surgery after freak Christmas Day accident

Scottie Scheffler is set to miss the start of the 2025 PGA Tour season after sustaining a freak injury on Christmas Day.

The world No.1 is set to miss three to four weeks of the new campaign after cutting his hand open whilst preparing dinner.

According to a statement from the PGA Tour, Scheffler sustained a “puncture wound to the palm of his right hand from a broken glass”.

Small glass fragments reportedly remained lodged in his hand which required surgery.

• TGL announces UK television partner

• 9 golfers earn late Masters invites (including two major champions)

Scheffler’s agent Blake Smith added: “He has been told he should be back to 100% in three to four weeks [but] unfortunately he will have to miss The Sentry.”

He is targeting a return to action at The American Express, taking place at La Quinta Country Club in California from January 16-19.

His festive misadventure completes a truly surreal year for Scheffler.

• Exclusive: Martin Kaymer signs highly-rated prospect for LIV

• Scottish golf club launches £70k crowdfund in survival bid

In addition to winning nine times, securing a second major title, landing Olympic gold, and becoming a father for the first time, he also endured the indignity of a peculiar arrest ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship in May.

Fortunately, that misunderstanding was swiftly handled, leaving Scheffler free to focus on becoming the first player since Tiger Woods to be named ‘Player of the Year’ in three consecutive years.

He also became the first golfer since Woods in 2009 to be ranked world No.1 for every week of the calendar year, and was part of the US team that won a tenth consecutive Presidents Cup.

As for The Sentry, the complete field for the season-opening tournament – taking place as usual on the Plantation Course at Kapalua, Hawaii – will be released later today, after the commitment deadline of 5pm ET.

• Have you entered our prize-a-day Advent Calendar? All days are still open right up until December 31! Get involved for free now. Click here.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor