World number one Scottie Scheffler gave a shockingly honest reflection on his golfing career, and admitted what would make him retire.
The three-time major winner looks for his second major of the year at The Open Championship this weekend, and as ever, is one of the favourites to win the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
But before the tournament, Scheffler gave a deep and emotional reflection on his purpose, and how much fulfilment his golf career truly gives him.
‘What’s the point?’ Scottie Scheffler questions his career after short-lived celebrations
Scheffler admitted that he struggles with the fleeting sense of achievement that comes with winning titles, which makes him question the purpose of his career. He commented on the feeling of winning the Byron Nelson Championship in his hometown of Dallas this year.
Speaking in a pre-Open Championship press conference, he said, “I’ve literally worked my entire life to win that tournament, then you win it, celebrate, hug my family, it’s such an amazing moment, then it’s like, ‘what are we going to have for dinner’. Life goes on.
“Is it great to win golf tournaments and to accomplish what I have in the game of golf? Yeah, it brings tears to my eyes just to think about it. I’ve literally worked my entire life to become good at the game of golf, and to have that sense of accomplishment is a pretty cool feeling.
“But I’m not here to inspire the next generation of golfers to become the best in the world, because what’s the point. This is not a fulfilling life.”
Scheffler went on to say that he has the same feelings going into The Open Championship this year. He said he has the hunger and drive to win the tournament, but sometimes questions why he cares on a deeper level.
He continued, “You get to number one in the world, and you’re like, what’s the point? And I really do believe that, because what is the point? Why do I want to win this tournament so bad? That’s something I wrestle with on a daily basis.
“Why do I want to win The Open Championship so badly? I don’t know. Because if I win, it’s going to be awesome for about two minutes.
And then we’re going to get to the next week and it’s going to be like, ‘hey you won two majors this year, how important is it to win the FedEx Cup playoffs?’ Sometimes I just don’t understand the point.”
Scottie Scheffler says he would quit golf for his family
Scheffler is a family man. At every tournament, he can be seen with his wife and son, and he has an appreciation that there is much more to life than what he does for a living.
He reflected that his family, not golf, is what gives him a greater sense of purpose. He said, “When I talk about family being my priority, it really is.
“I’m blessed to be able to come out here and play golf, but if golf ever started to affect my home life or if it ever affected the relationship I have with my wife or with my son, that’s going to be the last day that I play out here for a living.
“This is not the be-all, end-all. This is not the most important thing in my life. That’s why I wrestle with it, why is this so important to me? I would much rather be a great father than a great golfer. That’s what’s more important to me.”
Scheffler made sure to clarify that his love for the game and motivation to win tournaments are not diminished.
He added, “I love putting in the kind of work. I love being able to practice. I love getting to live out my dreams. I love the challenge, I love being able to play this game for a living, it’s one of the greatest joys of my life, but does it fill the deepest wants or desires of my life?”
That’s something we have seen in Rory McIlroy in recent months. After achieving something he had worked his whole life for, the career grand slam, he has seemed unfulfilled in the time that followed. For Scheffler to put it so thoughtfully was as shocking as it was meaningful.