Jim Nantz Wins Scottie Scheffler’s First Car in Charity Auction

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Legendary sports commentator Jim Nantz is now the proud owner of Scottie Scheffler‘s first car, a 2012 GMC Yukon XL, after winning it in a charity auction. Nantz’s $50,000 bid for the SUV, which has 190,000 miles on it, was confirmed on Jan. 27, with proceeds benefiting Triumph Over Kid Cancer (TOKC), a charity close to Scheffler’s heart.

“I figure just driving this SUV to the golf course should lower my handicap by at least five shots,” Nantz joked in a text to Golfweek. Scheffler, the World No. 1 golfer, laughed when informed of the sale after his round at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. “He finally got it,” Scheffler said. “It was sitting at our golf course for a while. But, yeah, it’s fun. Both of us got together to help a great cause, and he got an extra car out of it.”

The car was donated by Scheffler to TOKC, a foundation started by his late friend James Ragan, who passed away from osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. “James was a buddy that I grew up with playing golf. He passed away due to cancer, but he started this foundation,” Scheffler said. “It’s something we’re very passionate about.”

Scheffler’s father, Scott, originally purchased the Yukon XL after the family’s car broke down during the 2012 Masters in Augusta, Georgia. The vehicle became a staple in Scheffler’s early career, transporting him to junior golf events and Monday qualifiers. Scheffler even drove it to the 2022 Masters, where he claimed his first Green Jacket. The car features a Masters GMC logo on the back and two of Scheffler’s signatures: one on the dashboard with a “First Owned Vehicle” inscription and another on the right visor.

Nantz, known for his love of golf memorabilia, also owns Hall of Famer Ken Venturi‘s former golf cart, which he acquired in 2013. The CBS Sports broadcaster has long been a supporter of charitable causes, and his winning bid for Scheffler’s car underscores his commitment to TOKC. “Nance and I were doing a thing in Houston for an organization we both love,” Scheffler said. “Jim decided he wanted to get involved in the live auction.”

Scheffler, who ranks third on the PGA Tour’s all-time career money list with over $71 million in earnings, continued driving the Yukon XL until recently, when he received a new sponsor vehicle. Despite his success, Scheffler has remained grounded, often reflecting on his humble beginnings. “It’s got a Masters GMC logo on the back of it,” Scheffler said of the car. “It’s been a part of my journey.”

TOKC, founded by Ragan, has become a significant force in the fight against pediatric cancer. Scheffler has supported the charity through various initiatives, including organizing the James A. Ragan Triumph Scramble and his “Scottie’s Heroes” program, which provides golf clubs to young cancer patients.

Nantz, who splits his time between Pebble Beach and Nashville, now has a unique piece of golf history in his garage. The 2012 GMC Yukon XL not only represents Scheffler’s rise to the top of the golf world but also serves as a testament to the power of philanthropy in the sport.