PORTRUSH, Northern Eire — Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1-ranked participant and essentially the most dominant since Tiger Woods, delivered a surprising revelation about what profitable golf tournaments means to him on Tuesday upfront of this week’s British Open.
“There’s lots of people that make it to what they thought was going to satisfy them in life, and also you get there, you get to No. 1 on this planet, and so they’re like, what’s the purpose?’’ Scheffler stated at Royal Portrush, the place he’s the betting favourite to win the 153rd British Open. “I actually do consider that as a result of what’s the level? Why do I need to win this match so unhealthy? That’s one thing that I wrestle with each day.
“It’s like exhibiting up on the Masters yearly. It’s like, ‘Why do I need to win this golf match so badly? Why do I need to win the Open Championship so badly?’ I don’t know as a result of, if I win, it’s going to be superior for 2 minutes. Then we’re going to get to the subsequent week, ‘Hey, you gained two majors this 12 months; how vital is it so that you can win the FedExCup playoffs?’ And we’re again right here once more.
“We work so onerous for such little moments,’’ Scheffler went on. “I’m sort of a sicko. I really like placing within the work. I really like attending to apply. I really like attending to stay out my goals. However on the finish of the day, typically I simply don’t perceive the purpose.
“I don’t know if I’m making any sense or not? I really like the problem. I really like with the ability to play this sport for a residing. It’s one of many best joys of my life, however does it fill the deepest needs and needs of my coronary heart? Completely not.
“To get to stay out your goals may be very particular, however on the finish of the day, I’m not out right here to encourage the subsequent technology of golfers. I’m not out right here to encourage somebody to be the most effective participant on this planet as a result of what’s the purpose? This isn’t a satisfying life. It’s fulfilling from the sense of accomplishment, but it surely’s not fulfilling from a way of the deepest locations of your coronary heart.’’
Scheffler, who gained seven instances in 2024, together with capturing his second Masters, gained the PGA Championship this previous Could.
Scheffler shares a 1-year-old son, Bennett, along with his spouse, Meredith, and his household is most frequently with him at tournaments.
He recalled the sensation of lastly profitable the Byron Nelson Traditional in his dwelling state of Texas and the weirdly unsatisfying aftermath of the accomplishment.
“I stated one thing after the Byron this 12 months about prefer it feels such as you work your complete life to rejoice profitable a match for like a couple of minutes,’’ Scheffler stated. “It solely lasts a couple of minutes, that sort of euphoric feeling. To win the Byron Nelson Championship at dwelling, I actually labored my whole life to grow to be good at golf to have a possibility to win that match.
“You win it, you rejoice, get to hug my household, my sister’s there, it’s such a tremendous second. Then it’s like, ‘OK, what are we going to eat for dinner?’ Life goes on.
“Is it nice to have the ability to win tournaments and to perform the issues I’ve within the sport of golf? Yeah, it brings tears to my eyes simply to consider as a result of I’ve actually labored my whole life to be good at this sport. To have that sort of sense of accomplishment, I feel, is a fairly cool feeling.
“It’s nice to win tournaments. It’s a number of enjoyable. Generally the sensation solely lasts about two minutes, it looks as if once you’re celebrating, after which it’s like, ‘OK, now you’ve obtained to go do all this different stuff,’ which is nice, however typically the sensation of profitable solely lasts a couple of seconds. It’s fairly thrilling and enjoyable, but it surely simply doesn’t final that lengthy.’’
Scheffler has held the No. 1 rating longer than anybody since Tiger Woods dominated the game. But, he’s all the time appeared fully unaffected by being on high.
“Being No. 1 on this planet is a good accomplishment as a golfer,’’ Scheffler stated. “As an expert, to be ranked as the most effective on this planet is a large profession accomplishment and I don’t assume it needs to be taken calmly. However you don’t grow to be No. 1 on this planet by desirous about rankings. You don’t keep No. 1 on this planet desirous about rankings. Every match is its personal problem.
“Have a look at this week, for instance. What’s the best-case situation? I win this golf match after which I’m going to indicate up in Memphis and it’s like, ‘OK, you gained two majors this 12 months; what are you going to do that week?’ That’s the query you’re going to get requested.
“If I are available second this week or if I end useless final, it doesn’t matter what occurs, we’re all the time on to the subsequent week. That’s one of many lovely issues about golf, and it’s additionally one of many irritating issues as a result of you’ll be able to have such nice accomplishments, however the present goes on. That’s simply how it’s.’’
