The Data Action Golf blog
How PGA TOUR winners actually won, one tournament at a time, read through strokes gained. Every number is sourced, every pattern is labelled as a pattern, and every article ends with what the week means for your own game.
Golf statistics explained
The methods behind every tournament article: what the numbers measure and where they stop.
How Data Action Golf Reads a WinnerEvery Data Mondays article asks the same question about a PGA TOUR winner, how did he actually win, and answers it the same way. This is the method, the definitions, and the places where the numbers stop.September 23, 2026What Is Strokes Gained? The Statistic Behind Every Data Mondays ArticleStrokes gained measures every shot against what an average PGA TOUR player would need from the same spot. Here is how it works, where it came from, what the four categories mean, and why it is kinder to your own game than the scorecard.September 23, 2026
Data Mondays: 2026 season
How each 2026 winner won, most recent event first. All Data Mondays.
How Wyndham Clark Won the 2026 BMW ChampionshipWyndham Clark won the 2026 BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club, 17 under par, by 3 strokes. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +5.7 strokes on the field, 46% of his advantage.August 23, 2026The 2026 PGA TOUR Season by Winning Formula, So FarThirty-four 2026 PGA TOUR winners have a strokes-gained record in the Data Action Golf database, from the Sony Open in January through the BMW Championship in August. Here they are side by side, with the season's averages and the labels that recur.August 23, 2026How Scottie Scheffler Won the 2026 FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipScottie Scheffler won the 2026 FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind, 17 under par, by 8 strokes. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +8.9 strokes on the field, 50% of his advantage.August 16, 2026How Michael Brennan Won the 2026 Wyndham ChampionshipMichael Brennan won the 2026 Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club, 22 under par, by 3 strokes. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +9.0 strokes on the field, 47% of his advantage.August 9, 2026How Michael Thorbjornsen Won the 2026 Rocket ClassicMichael Thorbjornsen won the 2026 Rocket Classic at Detroit Golf Club, 18 under par, by 2 strokes. The strokes-gained record says off the tee carried the week: +5.3 strokes on the field, 36% of his advantage.August 2, 2026How Jackson Koivun Won the 2026 3M OpenJackson Koivun won the 2026 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities, 25 under par, by 3 strokes. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +9.3 strokes on the field, 51% of his advantage.July 26, 2026How Stefano Mazzoli Won the 2026 Corales Puntacana ChampionshipStefano Mazzoli won the 2026 Corales Puntacana Championship at Puntacana Resort & Club (Corales Golf Course), 20 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +6.8 strokes on the field, 48% of his advantage.July 19, 2026How Ryan Fox Won the 2026 Open ChampionshipRyan Fox won the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, 10 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +9.2 strokes on the field, 62% of his advantage.July 19, 2026How Tom Kim Won the 2026 Genesis Scottish OpenTom Kim won the 2026 Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, 17 under par, by 2 strokes. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +7.8 strokes on the field, 49% of his advantage.July 12, 2026How Steven Fisk Won the 2026 ISCO ChampionshipSteven Fisk won the 2026 ISCO Championship at Hurstbourne Country Club, 16 under par, in a playoff. The strokes-gained record says three categories carried the week, approach largest at 39% of his advantage, with putting and off the tee close behind.July 12, 2026How Chris Gotterup Won the 2026 John Deere ClassicChris Gotterup won the 2026 John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run, 20 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says off the tee carried the week: +5.4 strokes on the field, 42% of his advantage.July 5, 2026How Viktor Hovland Won the 2026 Travelers ChampionshipViktor Hovland won the 2026 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands, 21 under par, in a playoff. The strokes-gained record says the driver set the week apart: +4.0 strokes on the field, 36% of his advantage, more than double a typical winner's share.June 28, 2026How Wyndham Clark Won the 2026 U.S. OpenWyndham Clark won the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, 4 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +6.1 strokes on the field, 42% of his advantage.June 21, 2026How Bud Cauley Won the 2026 RBC Canadian OpenBud Cauley won the 2026 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course), 17 under par, by 2 strokes. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +6.7 strokes on the field, 48% of his advantage.June 14, 2026How J.T. Poston Won the 2026 Memorial TournamentJ.T. Poston won the 2026 Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club, 12 under par, in a playoff. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +8.1 strokes on the field, 50% of his advantage.June 7, 2026How Russell Henley Won the 2026 Charles Schwab ChallengeRussell Henley won the 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club, 12 under par, in a playoff. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +8.3 strokes on the field, 61% of his advantage.May 31, 2026How Wyndham Clark Won the 2026 CJ Cup Byron NelsonWyndham Clark won the 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch, 30 under par, by 3 strokes. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +12.6 strokes on the field, 59% of his advantage.May 24, 2026How Aaron Rai Won the 2026 PGA ChampionshipAaron Rai won the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, 9 under par, by 3 strokes. The strokes-gained record says this was a two-category win: approach and putting each gained +6.9 strokes on the field, 47% of his advantage apiece.May 17, 2026How Brandt Snedeker Won the 2026 ONEflight Myrtle Beach ClassicBrandt Snedeker won the 2026 ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic at Dunes Golf and Beach Club, 18 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +7.7 strokes on the field, 54% of his advantage.May 10, 2026How Kristoffer Reitan Won the 2026 Truist ChampionshipKristoffer Reitan won the 2026 Truist Championship at Quail Hollow Club, 15 under par, by 2 strokes. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +5.2 strokes on the field, 41% of his advantage.May 10, 2026How Cameron Young Won the 2026 Cadillac ChampionshipCameron Young won the 2026 Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral (Blue Monster Course), 19 under par, by 6 strokes. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +7.1 strokes on the field, 49% of his advantage.May 3, 2026How Matt Fitzpatrick Won the 2026 RBC HeritageMatt Fitzpatrick won the 2026 RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links, 18 under par, in a playoff. The strokes-gained record says no category carried the week: all four ran between 22% and 31% of his advantage, the most even week of the 2026 season.April 19, 2026How Rory McIlroy Won the 2026 Masters TournamentRory McIlroy won the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, 12 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says around the green carried the week: +5.6 strokes on the field, 39% of his advantage.April 12, 2026How J.J. Spaun Won the 2026 Valero Texas OpenJ.J. Spaun won the 2026 Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio (The Oaks Course), 17 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +6.7 strokes on the field, 51% of his advantage.April 5, 2026How Gary Woodland Won the 2026 Texas Children's Houston OpenGary Woodland won the 2026 Texas Children's Houston Open at Memorial Park Golf Course, 21 under par, by 5 strokes. The strokes-gained record says putting was the biggest piece of his week, +8.3 strokes on the field, 46% of his advantage, though he gained strokes in every category.March 29, 2026How Matt Fitzpatrick Won the 2026 Valspar ChampionshipMatt Fitzpatrick won the 2026 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club (Copperhead Course), 11 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +5.9 strokes on the field, 49% of his advantage.March 22, 2026How Cameron Young Won the 2026 Players ChampionshipCameron Young won the 2026 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass (THE PLAYERS Stadium Course), 13 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +7.1 strokes on the field, 47% of his advantage.March 15, 2026How Akshay Bhatia Won the 2026 Arnold Palmer InvitationalAkshay Bhatia won the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge, 15 under par, in a playoff. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +10.6 strokes on the field, 58% of his advantage.March 8, 2026How Nico Echavarria Won the 2026 Cognizant Classic in The Palm BeachesNico Echavarria won the 2026 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches at PGA National (Champion Course), 17 under par, by 2 strokes. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +6.0 strokes on the field, 43% of his advantage.March 1, 2026How Jacob Bridgeman Won the 2026 Genesis InvitationalJacob Bridgeman won the 2026 Genesis Invitational at The Riviera Country Club, 18 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +7.3 strokes on the field, 51% of his advantage.February 22, 2026How Collin Morikawa Won the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AmCollin Morikawa won the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Spyglass Hill Golf Course, 22 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +9.7 strokes on the field, 77% of his advantage.February 15, 2026How Chris Gotterup Won the 2026 WM Phoenix OpenChris Gotterup won the 2026 WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course), 16 under par, in a playoff. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +4.8 strokes on the field, 36% of his advantage.February 8, 2026How Justin Rose Won the 2026 Farmers Insurance OpenJustin Rose won the 2026 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course (North Course), 23 under par, by 7 strokes. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +6.6 strokes on the field, 55% of his advantage.February 1, 2026How Scottie Scheffler Won the 2026 American ExpressScottie Scheffler won the 2026 American Express at La Quinta Country Club, 27 under par, by 4 strokes. The strokes-gained record says off the tee carried the week: +2.9 strokes on the field, 43% of his advantage.January 25, 2026How Chris Gotterup Won the 2026 Sony Open in HawaiiChris Gotterup won the 2026 Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club, 16 under par, by 2 strokes. The strokes-gained record says he led the field off the tee and finished 5th around the green, then putted well enough, +5.1 strokes on the field, to convert it.January 18, 2026
Data Mondays: 2025 season
How each 2025 winner won, most recent event first. All Data Mondays.
How Hideki Matsuyama Won the 2025 Hero World ChallengeHideki Matsuyama won the 2025 Hero World Challenge at Albany GC, 22 under par, in a playoff. The strokes-gained record says around the green carried the week: +4.1 strokes on the field, 42% of his advantage.December 7, 2025The 2025 PGA TOUR Season by Winning FormulaForty PGA TOUR winners in 2025 have a strokes-gained record in the Data Action Golf database. Laid side by side, they show where a season's worth of winning advantage actually came from, and how often the putter, the irons and the scorecard did the work.December 7, 2025How Sami Valimaki Won the 2025 RSM ClassicSami Valimaki won the 2025 RSM Classic at Sea Island Golf Club (Plantation Course), 23 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +5.1 strokes on the field, 49% of his advantage.November 23, 2025How Michael Brennan Won the 2025 Bank of Utah ChampionshipMichael Brennan won the 2025 Bank of Utah Championship at Black Desert Resort, 22 under par, by 4 strokes. The strokes-gained record says off the tee carried the week: +7.6 strokes on the field, 47% of his advantage.October 26, 2025How Steven Fisk Won the 2025 Sanderson Farms ChampionshipSteven Fisk won the 2025 Sanderson Farms Championship at The Country Club of Jackson, 24 under par, by 2 strokes. The strokes-gained record says no category carried the week: all four ranged from 24% to 26% of his advantage, the tightest spread in the Winner Database.October 5, 2025How Scottie Scheffler Won the 2025 Procore ChampionshipScottie Scheffler won the 2025 Procore Championship at Silverado Resort (North Course), 19 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +8.8 strokes on the field, 54% of his advantage.September 14, 2025How Tommy Fleetwood Won the 2025 Tour ChampionshipTommy Fleetwood won the 2025 Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club, 18 under par, by 3 strokes. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +8.2 strokes on the field, 76% of his advantage.August 24, 2025How Scottie Scheffler Won the 2025 BMW ChampionshipScottie Scheffler won the 2025 BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club, 15 under par, by 2 strokes. The strokes-gained record says he needed his putter least of all, leading the field off the tee and around the green while drawing just 10% of his advantage from putting.August 17, 2025How Justin Rose Won the 2025 FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipJustin Rose won the 2025 FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind, 16 under par, in a playoff. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +5.7 strokes on the field, 45% of his advantage.August 10, 2025How Cameron Young Won the 2025 Wyndham ChampionshipCameron Young won the 2025 Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club, 22 under par, by 6 strokes. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +10.3 strokes on the field, 54% of his advantage.August 3, 2025How Kurt Kitayama Won the 2025 3M OpenKurt Kitayama won the 2025 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities, 23 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +9.7 strokes on the field, 69% of his advantage.July 27, 2025How Scottie Scheffler Won the 2025 Open ChampionshipScottie Scheffler won the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club, 17 under par, by 4 strokes. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +10.2 strokes on the field, 54% of his advantage.July 20, 2025How Chris Gotterup Won the 2025 Genesis Scottish OpenChris Gotterup won the 2025 Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club, 15 under par, by 2 strokes. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +7.3 strokes on the field, 48% of his advantage.July 13, 2025How William Mouw Won the 2025 ISCO ChampionshipWilliam Mouw won the 2025 ISCO Championship at Hurstbourne Country Club, 10 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +6.6 strokes on the field, 46% of his advantage.July 13, 2025How Brian Campbell Won the 2025 John Deere ClassicBrian Campbell won the 2025 John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run, 18 under par, in a playoff. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +6.8 strokes on the field, 44% of his advantage.July 6, 2025How Aldrich Potgieter Won the 2025 Rocket ClassicAldrich Potgieter won the 2025 Rocket Classic at Detroit Golf Club, 22 under par, in a playoff. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +6.1 strokes on the field, 48% of his advantage.June 29, 2025How Keegan Bradley Won the 2025 Travelers ChampionshipKeegan Bradley won the 2025 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands, 15 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +6.9 strokes on the field, 58% of his advantage.June 22, 2025How J.J. Spaun Won the 2025 U.S. OpenJ.J. Spaun won the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, 1 under par, by 2 strokes. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +10.5 strokes on the field, 64% of his advantage.June 15, 2025How Ryan Fox Won the 2025 RBC Canadian OpenRyan Fox won the 2025 RBC Canadian Open at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course), 18 under par, in a playoff. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +7.5 strokes on the field, 62% of his advantage.June 8, 2025How Scottie Scheffler Won the 2025 Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler won the 2025 Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club, 10 under par, by 4 strokes. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +7.2 strokes on the field, 47% of his advantage.June 1, 2025How Ben Griffin Won the 2025 Charles Schwab ChallengeBen Griffin won the 2025 Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club, 12 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +6.5 strokes on the field, 49% of his advantage.May 25, 2025How Scottie Scheffler Won the 2025 PGA ChampionshipScottie Scheffler won the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow-PGA Championship, 11 under par, by 5 strokes. The strokes-gained record says the win came from everywhere at once, the most evenly spread advantage of any 2025 winner to that point.May 18, 2025How Ryan Fox Won the 2025 ONEflight Myrtle Beach ClassicRyan Fox won the 2025 ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic at Dunes Golf and Beach Club, 15 under par, in a playoff. The strokes-gained record says off the tee carried the week: +4.2 strokes on the field, 35% of his advantage.May 11, 2025How Sepp Straka Won the 2025 Truist ChampionshipSepp Straka won the 2025 Truist Championship at The Philadelphia Cricket Club (Wissahickon Course), 16 under par, by 2 strokes. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +8.7 strokes on the field, 66% of his advantage.May 11, 2025How Scottie Scheffler Won the 2025 CJ Cup Byron NelsonScottie Scheffler won the 2025 CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch, 31 under par, by 8 strokes. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +12.8 strokes on the field, 53% of his advantage.May 4, 2025How Justin Thomas Won the 2025 RBC HeritageJustin Thomas won the 2025 RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links, 17 under par, in a playoff. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +5.5 strokes on the field, 48% of his advantage.April 20, 2025How Rory McIlroy Won the 2025 Masters TournamentRory McIlroy won the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, 11 under par, in a playoff. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +9.2 strokes on the field, 62% of his advantage.April 13, 2025How Brian Harman Won the 2025 Valero Texas OpenBrian Harman won the 2025 Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course), 9 under par, by 3 strokes. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +6.2 strokes on the field, 47% of his advantage.April 6, 2025How Min Woo Lee Won the 2025 Texas Children's Houston OpenMin Woo Lee won the 2025 Texas Children's Houston Open at Memorial Park Golf Course, 20 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +8.7 strokes on the field, 58% of his advantage.March 30, 2025How Viktor Hovland Won the 2025 Valspar ChampionshipViktor Hovland won the 2025 Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course), 11 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +7.4 strokes on the field, 48% of his advantage.March 23, 2025How Rory McIlroy Won the 2025 Players ChampionshipRory McIlroy won the 2025 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass (THE PLAYERS Stadium Course), 12 under par, in a playoff. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +7.8 strokes on the field, 51% of his advantage.March 16, 2025How Russell Henley Won the 2025 Arnold Palmer InvitationalRussell Henley won the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge, 11 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says around the green carried the week: +6.4 strokes on the field, 50% of his advantage.March 9, 2025How Joe Highsmith Won the 2025 Cognizant Classic in The Palm BeachesJoe Highsmith won the 2025 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches at PGA National Resort (The Champion Course), 19 under par, by 2 strokes. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +6.0 strokes on the field, 48% of his advantage.March 2, 2025How Brian Campbell Won the 2025 Mexico Open at VidantaWorldBrian Campbell won the 2025 Mexico Open at VidantaWorld at Vidanta Vallarta, 20 under par, in a playoff. The strokes-gained record says two categories carried the week: approach (+5.9, 42% of his advantage) and short game (+5.5, 39%), the best short-game week of the season to that point.February 23, 2025How Ludvig Aberg Won the 2025 Genesis InvitationalLudvig Aberg won the 2025 Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course), 12 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +5.5 strokes on the field, 45% of his advantage.February 16, 2025How Thomas Detry Won the 2025 WM Phoenix OpenThomas Detry won the 2025 WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course), 24 under par, by 7 strokes. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +8.4 strokes on the field, 43% of his advantage.February 9, 2025How Rory McIlroy Won the 2025 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AmRory McIlroy won the 2025 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Spyglass Hill Golf Course, 21 under par, by 2 strokes. The strokes-gained record says off the tee carried the week: +5.9 strokes on the field, 42% of his advantage.February 2, 2025How Harris English Won the 2025 Farmers Insurance OpenHarris English won the 2025 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course (North Course), 8 under par, by 1 stroke. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +6.0 strokes on the field, 55% of his advantage.January 25, 2025How Sepp Straka Won the 2025 American ExpressSepp Straka won the 2025 American Express at Nicklaus Tournament Course, 25 under par, by 2 strokes. The strokes-gained record says putting carried the week: +3.8 strokes on the field, 45% of his advantage.January 19, 2025How Nick Taylor Won the 2025 Sony Open in HawaiiNick Taylor won the 2025 Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club, 16 under par, in a playoff. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +5.9 strokes on the field, 55% of his advantage.January 12, 2025How Hideki Matsuyama Won the 2025 SentryHideki Matsuyama won the 2025 Sentry at Plantation Course at Kapalua, 35 under par, by 3 strokes. The strokes-gained record says approach carried the week: +9.2 strokes on the field, 51% of his advantage.January 5, 2025