Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1-ranked participant and essentially the most dominant since Tiger Woods, delivered a surprising revelation about what successful golf tournaments means to him on Wednesday prematurely of this week’s British Open.
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“There’s lots of people that make it to what they thought was going to fulfil 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 mentioned at Royal Portrush, the place he’s the betting favorite to win the 153rd British Open.
“I actually do consider that as a result of what’s the level? Why do I wish to win this event so dangerous? 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 wish to win this golf event so badly? Why do I wish 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 following week, ‘Hey, you received 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 exhausting for such little moments,’’ Scheffler went on.
“I’m form of a sicko. I like placing within the work. I like attending to follow. I like attending to reside out my goals. However on the finish of the day, generally I simply don’t perceive the purpose.
“I don’t know if I’m making any sense or not? I like the problem. I like with the ability to play this recreation for a dwelling. It’s one of many biggest joys of my life, however does it fill the deepest needs and needs of my coronary heart? Completely not.
“To get to reside out your goals could be very particular, however on the finish of the day, I’m not out right here to encourage the following technology of golfers. I’m not out right here to encourage somebody to be the perfect 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, however it’s not fulfilling from a way of the deepest locations of your coronary heart.’’
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Scheffler, who received seven instances in 2024, together with capturing his second Masters, received the PGA Championship this previous Might.
Scheffler shares a 1-year-old son, Bennett, together with his spouse, Meredith, and his household is most frequently with him at tournaments.
He recalled the sensation of lastly successful the Byron Nelson Basic in his house state of Texas and the weirdly unsatisfying aftermath of the accomplishment.
“I mentioned one thing after the Byron this 12 months about prefer it feels such as you work your entire life to rejoice successful a event for like a couple of minutes,’’ Scheffler mentioned.
“It solely lasts a couple of minutes, that form of euphoric feeling. To win the Byron Nelson Championship at house, I actually labored my complete life to turn into good at golf to have a chance to win that event.
“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 recreation of golf? Yeah, it brings tears to my eyes simply to consider as a result of I’ve actually labored my complete life to be good at this sport. To have that form of sense of accomplishment, I believe, is a fairly cool feeling.
“It’s nice to win tournaments. It’s lots of enjoyable. Typically the sensation solely lasts about two minutes, it looks like if you’re celebrating, after which it’s like, ‘OK, now you’ve acquired to go do all this different stuff,’ which is nice, however generally the sensation of successful solely lasts a number of seconds. It’s fairly thrilling and enjoyable, however it simply doesn’t final that lengthy.’’
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Scheffler has held the No. 1 rating longer than anybody since Tiger Woods dominated the game. But, he’s at all times appeared utterly unaffected by being on prime.
“Being No. 1 on this planet is a good accomplishment as a golfer,’’ Scheffler mentioned.
“As an expert, to be ranked as the perfect on this planet is a large profession accomplishment and I don’t suppose it ought to be taken calmly. However you don’t turn into No. 1 on this planet by fascinated with rankings. You don’t keep No. 1 on this planet fascinated with rankings. Every event is its personal problem.
“Take a look at this week, for instance. What’s the best-case state of affairs? I win this golf event after which I’m going to indicate up in Memphis and it’s like, ‘OK, you received 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 in second this week or if I end lifeless final, it doesn’t matter what occurs, we’re at all times on to the following 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.’’
This text first appeared on The New York Publishand was reproduced with permission.