‘What is the point’ – Emotional Scottie Scheffler reveals reason he could QUIT golf in worrying interview at The Open
THE world’s best golfer Scottie Scheffler has revealed he will QUIT the sport if his day job gets in the way of his family life.
The world No1 opened his heart on the struggles of being a superstar sportsman, saying: “I just don’t understand the point.”
And he even admitted that it it interfered with his family life with wife Meredith, 29, and their one-year-old son Bennett, he would simply hang up his putter and walk away.
Three-time major winner Scheffler, whose best finish in The Open is tied seventh last year, said: “I love being a father.
“I love being able to take care of my son. I love being able to provide for my family out here playing golf. That’s why I talk about family being my priority because it really is.
“But if my golf ever started affecting my home life or it ever affected the relationship I have with my wife or my son, that’s going to be the last day that I play out here for a living.”
Scheffler, 29, had an existential moment as he considered his chances of winning The Open at Royal Portrush.
The devout Texan is golf’s most dominant player since Tiger Woods was in his prime.
But in the build-up to the season’s final major, he questioned his desire to be the No1 golfer on the planet and how winning golf tournaments feels “unfulfilling”.
He said winning golf tournaments, which he has done 21 times at various levels – including an Olympic gold in Paris last year – does not satisfy him.
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Scheffler said: “Playing professional sports is a really weird thing to do. It really is.
“Just because we put in so much effort, we work so hard for something that’s so fleeting.
“The feeling of winning just doesn’t last that long. Sometimes the feeling of winning only lasts a few seconds.
“That’s something that I wrestle with on a daily basis. It’s like showing up at the Masters every year. Why do I want to win this golf tournament so badly?
“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 two minutes.
“I have a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for it, but it’s just hard to explain.
Sometimes the feeling of winning only lasts a few seconds.
Scheffler
“It just doesn’t satisfy is how I would describe it. It’s an unsatisfying venture.
“We work so hard for such little moments. I’m kind of sicko; I love putting in the work. I love getting to practice.
“I love getting to live out my dreams. But at the end of the day, sometimes I just don’t understand the point.”
Scheffler is favourite for the Claret Jug, even though his experience of links golf is limited.
He has won three times this year, has one runner-up finish and eight other top-10s in 15 events.
The dad-of-one won his first PGA Championship and third major by five strokes over Bryson DeChambeau, Harris English and Davis Riley in May.
He did his best Happy Gilmore impression this week, after missing a simple putt for a birdie on the par-four 13th led Scheffler to channel his inner Adam Sandler and blow his lid, albeit jokingly, at the ball.