Scottie Scheffler forces doubter to eat Wendy’s chili for a month

New season, same old Scottie Scheffler. In his first appearance of 2026, the world No. 1 picked up right where he left off last year, winning by four shots at The American Express at La Quinta Country Club in California. In the process, Scheffler also consigned one online doubter to eating Wendy’s chili, and only Wendy’s chili, for an entire month.

A confident guarantee that aged poorly

The tale is one of self-inflicted punishment from Larry Shea, who owns Tom & Marty’s Town House in Binghamton, New York. It may be “the best bar in America,” according to its X account, but the platform is also used to offer running commentary on golf, as well as player picks.

Unfortunately for Shea, not all of those picks have been on the mark of late.

On Thursday, the opening day of the tournament, Scheffler posted six birdies in his first nine holes. Larry, foolishly, saw that as a sign there was no way Scheffler was winning on his first start of the year.

A self-inflicted punishment

“Scheffler isn’t winning folks,” he initially posted. “He never does when he starts this hot. I guarantee it.”

As if that were not reckless enough, he doubled down on the claim in spectacular fashion 20 minutes later.

“If Scottie Scheffler wins this week I will only eat Wendy’s chili for a month. It’s not happening folks. ZERO chance.”

The internet knew what was coming

The rest, as they say, is history.

Even Dude Wipes, a brand that makes flushable personal hygiene wipes designed for men, saw it coming from a mile away, replying: “You’re gonna need us.”

Fast forward a little more than three days and, sure enough, Scheffler bagged his first victory of 2026 in typically comfortable fashion, finishing four shots ahead of the chasing pack at La Quinta.

A man of his word, armed with chili

Shea does, at least, appear to have owned his mistake and is embracing the challenge with humor.

“I am a man of my word,” Larry said in a video posted on X. “No excuses, I was wrong. Congratulations, Scottie Scheffler, which means until February 25, 7 p.m., the only thing I’m going to be eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner is Wendy’s chili. No cheese, no crackers, just chili.”

Pass the Dude Wipes.

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