The PGA TOUR announced Monday that world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler has claimed the Jack Nicklaus Award as the PGA TOUR Player of the Year, while 21-year-old Aldrich Potgieter has been named the Arnold Palmer Award winner as the 2025 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year.
Scheffler, a 19-time PGA TOUR winner who won six times in 2025, including two majors — the PGA Championship and The Open Championship — is just the second player to win the award four or more consecutive times (Tiger Woods, 1999-2003).
South Africa’s Potgieter, the 2025 Rocket Classic champion, was one of five rookies to win on the PGA TOUR this season and the only rookie to qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs. The Mossel Bay, South Africa, native is the third South African winner of the Arnold Palmer Award, joining Ernie Els (1994) and Trevor Immelman (2006).
“What Aldrich has achieved at such a young age is truly remarkable. He has captivated fans across the globe, including his home country of South Africa, and the TOUR is thrilled to see what his future holds.”
The Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards are determined by a member vote, with PGA TOUR members who played in at least 15 official FedExCup events during the 2025 season eligible to vote. For the first time, members voted via PGA TOUR CENTRAL, the TOUR’s new player app and website, with the voting period running from Dec. 4-12.
Scheffler earned the Jack Nicklaus Award over three other nominees: Tommy Fleetwood, Ben Griffin and Rory McIlroy. Potgieter received the Arnold Palmer Award over four other nominees: Michael Brennan, Steven Fisk, William Mouw and Karl Vilips.
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