The lower the scores, the better chance of having success on the golf course.
That’s why most of the names on the PGA Tour’s lowest scoring average list for the 2021-22 season is not a surprise. It’s loaded with major winners but there are some surprises.
It’s difficult to play well throughout the course of a season. With numerous different types of courses, conditions and the elevated status of many tournaments, it can be difficult for golfers to hit their peak and maintain it for a majority of the year.
The golfer with the lowest scoring average gets awarded the Vardon Trophy.
Here’s a look at the 10 PGA Tour golfers who had the lowest scoring averages in the 2021-22 season:
Will Zalatoris holds up the trophy after winning the 2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire)
Will Zalatoris again had close calls in majors, losing to Justin Thomas in a three-hole aggregate playoff at the PGA Championship at Southern Hills and missing a birdie putt on the 72nd hole to force a playoff at the U.S. Open at The Country Club. But, he finally got his first PGA Tour win at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
Shane Lowry chips onto the second green during the third round of the BMW Championship golf tournament. (Photo: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)
Shane Lowry may come as a surprise on this list, as he didn’t make the Tour Championship and didn’t record a win this year, but he finished in the top 10 in 10 of his 18 events.
Tommy Fleetwood plays a shot from a bunker on the seventh hole during the second round of the 2022 U.S. Open in Brookline, Massachusetts. (Photo: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)
Another surprise on the list is Tommy Fleetwood, who didn’t play past the British Open because of personal reasons. He didn’t record a win but made the cut in 14 of his 17 events and recorded five top-10 finishes.
Justin Thomas plays his shot from the third tee during the first round of the BMW Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The 2022 PGA Championship winner at Southern Hills had a strong year numbers-wise, even if he only recorded the one victory. He made the cut in all but two of his 21 events and recorded 10 top-10 finishes.
Patrick Cantlay poses with the BMW Trophy and The Western Golf Association Trophy after winning the 2022 BMW Championship in Wilmington, Delaware. (Photo: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)
Patrick Cantlay defended his title at the BMW Championship, coming through at Wilmington Country Club, and he also was victorious at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with playing partner Xander Schauffele. Cantlay also had three runner-up finishes.
Xander Schauffele hoists the trophy after winning the 2022 Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland. (Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The aforementioned Xander Schauffele had his best season on Tour, recording three wins, including the Travelers Championship and Genesis Scottish Open. In 21 events, he made the cut 19 times and finished in the top 25 in 15 of those.
Scottie Scheffler hits from the rough on the 18th hole during the third round of the TOUR Championship. (Photo: Adam Hagy/USA TODAY Sports)
Scottie Scheffler nearly secured his fifth win of the season at the Tour Championship but fell just short. Nevertheless, it was an incredible year, recording a Tour-best four victories, including the Masters, and finishing runner-up four more times.
Matthew Fitzpatrick tees off on the third hole during the second round of the 2022 Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. (Photo: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports)
The 2022 U.S. Open Champion earned his first Tour victory at The Country Club at Brookline. He made the cut in 17 of the 20 events he played in. In those tournaments, he finished in the top 25 an astounding 14 times.
Cameron Smith tees off on the 18th hole during the final round of the 150th Open Championship golf tournament at St. Andrews Old Course. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)
Cameron Smith’s PGA Tour days are over, as he joined LIV Golf following the conclusion of the Tour Championship, but it doesn’t take away from the stellar season he had. He won the British Open at St. Andrews and captured the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in March.
Rory McIlroy reacts after making a birdie putt on the 15th hole during the final round of the TOUR Championship golf tournament. (Photo: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports)
Rory McIlroy capped his stellar season with a victory at the Tour Championship, his third of 2021-22. His stroke average of 68.7 makes him only the third player in history to have a stroke average that low throughout a season. The other two? Vijay Singh and Tiger Woods, who accomplished it eight times.
McIlroy had the lowest scoring average on Tour since Tiger Woods’ mark of 68.052 in 2009. McIlroy has won the Vardon Trophy, awarded to the player with the lowest stroke average on Tour, for the fourth time.
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