Key Areas for Enhancement for Top Golfers Heading into 2026
This article analyzes the weaknesses of three top golfers – Bryson DeChambeau, Collin Morikawa, and Xander Schauffele - and their potential paths to improvement for the 2026 season.
1.Bryson DeChambeau: Short Game
* Problem: DeChambeau’s short game, especially around the greens, held him back in major championships. He struggled to convert opportunities, notably at the Masters and PGA Championship.
* Attempts to Fix: He switched clubs (from 3D-printed Avoda blades to LA golf) and experimented with different golf balls to reduce spin.
* Outlook: While immediate results were mixed, a full offseason of tinkering suggests he’ll have a refined strategy for 2026.
2. Collin Morikawa: Short Game
* Problem: Despite still strong iron play (3rd on the PGA Tour in strokes gained approach), Morikawa’s short game is a notable weakness. His obsession with hitting a fade can exacerbate issues when his short game falters.
* Stats: He had the worst total strokes gained season of his career, largely due to poor performance around the green and on the greens.
* Outlook: improving his chipping, pitching, and putting is crucial for him to compete with the top players like Scheffler, McIlroy, and DeChambeau. His lack of length means a strong short game is even more vital.
3. Xander Schauffele: Putting
* Problem: Schauffele experienced a dramatic decline in his putting performance in the past season, ranking 139th on the PGA Tour and losing strokes to his counterparts.
* Stats: His putting struggles impacted his scrambling, sand saves, one-putt percentage, birdie average, and performance on par 3s and 4s.
* Outlook: Despite the poor putting season, there’s optimism. He showed improvement at the end of the year (win in Japan, strong performance at Bethpage Black). His driving and iron play remain solid, and the article suggests a return to form with the putter is likely.
in essence,the article highlights that even elite golfers have areas for improvement,and addressing these weaknesses will be key to their success in the future. The focus is on how these players are already working to overcome these challenges.
