What really sparked Scottie Scheffler's 'what's the point' monologue and long hard stare
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler stunned golf media at Royal Portrush when he opened up on the internal conflicts he faces as the best in the business. The 29-year-old has topped the PGA Tour money list in each of the last three seasons.
But even a serial winner who appears to have it all is forced to ponder his purpose, it seems. Three-time major champion Scheffler is playing arguably the best golf of his career coming into The Open, having already picked up the PGA Championship this year.
The two-time Masters winner is yet to finish lower than seventh in any major thus far in 2025, placing among the top 10 in nine of the last 11 major competitions.
But after Rory McIlroy likened his career to a "hamster wheel," indicating the never-ending hunt for success, on Monday, Scheffler took his turn breaking down what it means to spend one's life on the fairways. His monologue appeared to be sparked when he was asked what's the longest he has spent celebrating a win.
His answer was one of the most introspective examples heard in the modern game. "I think it's kind of funny," he told reporters before taking a long, hard stare and continuing his existential analysis.
"I said something after the Byron Nelson this year that it feels like you work your whole life to celebrate winning a tournament. It only lasts a few minutes, that kind of euphoric feeling. Then it's like, 'Okay, what are we going to eat for dinner?'
"Life goes on. Is it great to be able to win tournaments and to accomplish the things I have in the game of golf? Yeah, it brings tears to my eyes. But at the end of the day, what's the point?"
Scheffler went on to describe his career in golf, however enviable it may appear from the outside, as "not a fulfilling life." And it served to underline precisely what the American holds dearest outside of his myriad sporting achievements.
That's not to say he isn't grateful for the £65million or so he has won on the PGA Tour, nor the life that has helped him build for his family. But the game itself, and by extension the trophies many spend their entire careers chasing, isn't what he feels gives his life meaning.
"I love being able to play this game for a living," he continued. "But does it fill the deepest wants and desires of my heart? Absolutely not.
"I love living out my dreams. 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. But if my golf ever started affecting the relationship I have with my wife or my son, that's going to be the last day that I play for a living. This is not the be all, end all.
"When I sit back at the end of the year and try to reflect on things, it's just hard to explain how it doesn't satisfy. It's an unsatisfying venture. I guess what I'm trying to say is this is not the place to look for your satisfaction."
His comments echo the words of rival McIlroy, who is back on home soil attempting to win The Open for a second time this week. And he'll do so with a certain pressure off his back, having ended his 11-year wait for another major at the Masters in April.
McIlroy has spoken about how he has had very little time to soak up that iconic win, which saw him become just the sixth man to complete the modern career grand slam. But the happiest moment of his career to date was only that, and he was swiftly prompted to get back in the saddle and move onto the next major target.
"I've done something that I've told everyone that I wanted to do, but then it's like I still feel like I have a lot more to give,' McIlroy told reporters in Portrush. "I probably just didn't give myself enough time to let it all sink in.
"But that's the nature of professional golf. They do a very good job of keeping you on the hamster wheel, and you feel like it's hard to get off at times."
It's evident from those remarks that the world No. 2 can perhaps sympathise with Scheffler's plight in wondering what his motivation is at times. As a result, some fans may raise questions over what kind of performances to expect from the top-ranked pair in the world at The Open, where play gets underway on Thursday.
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