Best Iron Players on the PGA Tour

min read
Scottie Scheffler hits from the 17th fairway during a practice round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Los Angeles Country Club, Monday, June 12, 2023, in Los Angeles.
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Ryan Hannable @RyanHannable Apr 09, 2024, 8:14 AM
  • Scottie Scheffler is by far the best player when it comes to Strokes Gained: Approach.
  • Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele are among the best iron players.
  • The best iron players typically are the best overall players.

Iron play is extremely important for success in the game of golf, especially on the PGA Tour. 

It can make up for weak aspects of a player’s game. For example, if a player consistently hits his iron shots close to the hole, it can make up for struggles with chipping and putting.Also, many of the best iron players are consistent winners on the PGA Tour.

Here are the best iron players on the PGA Tour:

Scottie Scheffler

Scheffler is the best iron player on the PGA Tour and by a wide margin. In 2022-23 he finished with a Strokes Gained: Approach of 88. The next closest player gained 63 strokes.

It wasn’t just a one-year thing, either. Scheffler finished fourth in Strokes Gained: Approach in 2021-22.

Collin Morikawa

Based on Morikawa’s iron play, he should have way more wins than he does. 

Morikawa was second to Scheffler in Strokes Gained: Approach in 2022-23, and the year before he finished third. 

Will Zalatoris

Even though Zalatoris missed the bulk of the 2023 season due to back surgery, he’s still among the best in the game when it comes to iron play.

Zalatoris was No. 1 in Strokes Gained: Approach in 2021-22. He’s been one of the most inconsistent putters on Tour, but primarily because of the way he hits his irons, he’s in contention virtually every week he tees it up.

Xander Schauffele

Schauffele isn’t a flashy player by any means, but the way he consistently hits his irons makes him one of the best players in the game.

He finished third in Strokes Gained: Approach in 2022-23 and was seventh in 2021-22.

Tony Finau

Finau has made a number of Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams, and it’s primarily because of his iron play.

He finished fifth in Strokes Gained: Approach in 2022-23 and was 12th the year prior.

Honorable mention: Rory McIlroy, Tom Hoge, Rickie Fowler and Tom Kim.

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About the Author

Ryan Hannable

Read More @RyanHannable

Ryan Hannable is a Content Managing Editor on the Web Content Team for BetMGM. Previously, he was a New England Patriots beat writer for WEEI in Boston. He also has published a golf book, “The Ultimate Book of Golf Trivia: 600 Questions and Answers.”

Ryan Hannable is a Content Managing Editor on the Web Content Team for BetMGM. Previously, he was a New England Patriots beat writer for WEEI in Boston. He also has published a golf book, “The Ultimate Book of Golf Trivia: 600 Questions and Answers.”