Scheffler Eyes Hero World Challenge Three-Peat

The Hero World Challenge 2025: Scottie Scheffler's Quest for History

The Hero World Challenge returns to Albany in the Bahamas for 2025, bringing together the world's best golfers in an exclusive field for the final showcase of the season. But all eyes will be on one player: Scottie Scheffler. The world No. 1 is aiming to make history by becoming the first player to win the tournament three consecutive times. As the unofficial curtain-closer on the golf calendar, the event serves as a unique blend of a season review and a preview for the upcoming year, with players like Scheffler using it as a testing ground for new equipment and swing adjustments.

This year's edition is particularly intriguing due to Scheffler's dominant form and his willingness to experiment under pressure. He has already won the Hero World Challenge in 2023 and 2024, solidifying his status as the king of Albany. However, his journey to the top hasn't been without challenges, including a bizarre hand injury last offseason that sidelined him at the start of 2025. "I feel like I’m on a similar routine to how I was going into last offseason," Scheffler said, "but I don’t anticipate any interruptions this time around."

Testing the Waters: The New TaylorMade Qi4D Driver

One of the most talked-about storylines is Scheffler's switch to the new TaylorMade Qi4D driver. The two-time defending champion has a history of using the Hero World Challenge as a laboratory for equipment changes. Last year, he debuted a new putting grip, and in 2023, he worked closely with putting coach Phil Kenyon. This time, it's the driver that's under the microscope.

"Last year I had a little bit of trouble getting into the Qi35," Scheffler explained. "I feel like we learned a lot throughout that process of what I like to see in a driver, the way it needs to perform for me specifically." After extensive testing, Scheffler is confident in the new Qi4D, noting, "So far the performance has been good, my spin numbers have been really consistent, ball flight's been consistent."

For Scheffler, the Hero World Challenge is the perfect venue for such experiments. "Testing things out in competition is a good way of kind of seeing where you’re at," he stated. While many players change drivers annually, the high-stakes environment of the tournament provides real-world data that can't be replicated on the practice range.

Aiming for Three-Peat and a Smooth Offseason

Beyond the new equipment, Scheffler's primary goal is clear: win. A victory in 2025 would cement his legacy as the tournament's greatest champion. But there's also a subplot of avoiding the mishaps that disrupted his 2025 season. The hand injury from a Christmas dinner mishap forced him to miss his first two starts, a scenario he hopes to avoid this time.

"I don’t cook, I don’t touch glass," Scheffler joked, highlighting the absurdity of last year's incident. Despite the setback, he demonstrated remarkable resilience, going on to win six times in 2025, including the PGA Championship and The Open Championship. His consistency and discipline earned him a nomination for his fourth consecutive Player of the Year award.

The Bigger Picture: A Preview for the 2026 Season

The Hero World Challenge also offers a glimpse into the strategies players will employ as the 2026 PGA TOUR season approaches. With a limited field, the event allows for intense focus without the pressure of a full-field event. For fans, it's a chance to see how the world's elite are preparing for the year ahead.

Tiger Woods' presence adds another layer of intrigue. As the tournament host, Woods' press conference has become a must-watch event, offering insights into the state of the game and his own recovery from recent back surgery. While Woods may not be competing, his influence on the event and the players is undeniable.

As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on Scheffler. Can he make history? Will the new driver deliver? And most importantly, can he navigate the offseason without any more surprises? The answers will unfold over four days in the Bahamas, setting the stage for an exciting 2026 season.