Scottie Scheffler has gained extra tournaments and majors than anybody during the last three years. He’s No.1 on the planet and nobody is near him. Nothing would imply extra to him than leaving Royal Portrush with the silver claret jug on Monday.
After which?
That is the place golf will get slightly difficult for Scheffler, who loves his job and all of the work it entails, however who discovered himself trying to find what all of it means.
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He delivered a tremendous soliloquy forward of this week’s British Open about achievement. The brief reply: It is not the 2 Masters inexperienced jackets, the Wanamaker Trophy he gained on the PGA Championship, the three Jack Nicklaus Awards as PGA Tour participant of the 12 months or the FedEx Cup.
“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 the planet, they usually’re like, what is the level?” Scheffler mentioned.
Scottie Scheffler speaks forward of the British Open. Getty
“I actually do imagine that as a result of what’s the level? Why do I need to win this event so dangerous? That is one thing that I wrestle with each day.
“It is like exhibiting up on the Masters yearly. It is like, ‘Why do I need to win this golf event so badly? Why do I need to win the Open Championship so badly?’ I do not know as a result of, if I win, it is going to be superior for 2 minutes. Then we will get to the following 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 arduous for such little moments,” Scheffler continued.
“I am form of a sicko. I really like placing within the work. I really like attending to observe. I really like attending to reside out my goals. However on the finish of the day, generally I simply do not perceive the purpose.
“I do not know if I am making any sense or not? I really like the problem. I really like having the ability to play this sport for a residing. It is one of many best joys of my life, however does it fill the deepest desires and wishes of my coronary heart? Completely not.
“To get to reside out your goals may be very particular, however on the finish of the day, I am not out right here to encourage the following era of golfers. I am not out right here to encourage somebody to be the very best participant on the planet as a result of what is the level? This isn’t a satisfying life. It is fulfilling from the sense of accomplishment, however it’s not fulfilling from a way of the deepest locations of your coronary heart.”
That is what drives Scheffler — profitable the Masters, profitable a guess along with his caddie, profitable something. He has gained 19 occasions since his first title on the 2022 Phoenix Open. Strictly by his math, that will be 38 minutes value of celebrating.
So the place does achievement come from if it isn’t profitable?
Scheffler is grounded in his religion, in a easy household life with a spouse he has been with since highschool, a 15-month-old son, three sisters and associates that aren’t a part of the tour group.
He usually says golf does not outline him as an individual, and he mentioned if it reached a degree the place the game ever affected life at residence, “that is going to be the final day that I play out right here for a residing.”
He is had moments of appreciation, for certain.
There was one second final summer season when his spouse, Meredith, was in the lounge and he was in his workplace. He walked out with the Masters inexperienced jacket and the plaid jacket from profitable Hilton Head. He had The Gamers Championship trophy in a single hand and one other trophy in his different hand.
“Wassup, Mere,” he mentioned to his spouse.
Scheffler laughed telling the story. He is unsure why he did it, besides it was enjoyable. After which it was again to work. There’s at all times the following event.
Xander Schauffele frolicked with him on the Olympics final summer season. Schauffele gained two majors final 12 months, together with the claret jug. What they’ve in widespread just isn’t lingering on laurels.
“That is why he’s been No.1 and hasn’t even sniffed trying backwards,” Schauffele mentioned. “If he was sitting there taking a look at all his trophies day by day, I’m certain he’d nonetheless be enjoying nice golf, however I don’t assume he’s that man.”
