In a moment of candor not often seen from professional athletes – especially those at the top of their game – the number one-ranked golfer in the world admitted winning does not make for a “fulfilling life.”
Scheffler’s Remarks
Three-time major champion Scottie Scheffler told reporters in the lead up to the British Open this week that he does not draw the same satisfaction from dominating on the golf course as he does from being a husband and a father.
“There’s a lot of people that make it to what they thought was going to fulfill them in life, and you get there – you get to number one in the world – and they’re like, ‘What’s the point?’” Scheffler said during a media session on Tuesday. “I really do believe that because what is the point? Why do I want to win this tournament so bad? That’s something that I wrestle with on a daily basis.”
“It’s like showing up at the Masters every year. It’s like, ‘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,” he continued. “Because, if I win, it’s going to be awesome for two minutes. Then we’re going to get to the next week, ‘Hey, you won two majors this year; how important is it for you to win the FedExCup playoffs?’ And we’re back here again.”
The 29 year old said golfers “work so hard for such little moments.” And while he loves “putting in the work,” “getting to practice,” and “getting to live out my dreams,” it’s not enough. “Sometimes I just don’t understand the point,” Scheffler said. “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 and desires of my heart? Absolutely not.”
He said his time on the links is “fulfilling from the sense of accomplishment, but it’s not fulfilling from a sense of the deepest places of your heart.” Instead, he relishes being a father and husband.
“I love being able to take care of my son. I love being able to provide for my family out here playing golf,” Scheffler explained. “That’s why I talk about my family being my priority because it really is. I’d much rather be a great father than I would be a great golfer.”
“I’m blessed to be able to come out here and play golf, but if my golf ever started affecting my home life or or it ever affected the relationship I have with my wife or my son, that’s going to be the last day that I ever play out here for a living,” he added. “This is not the be all, end all. This is not the most important thing in my life.”
Megyn’s Reaction
Megyn is far from a sports person – let alone a golf fan – and was unfamiliar with Scheffler before coming across his now-viral comments on social media. But as she explained on Thursday’s show, his message hit close to home:
“I saw this on X and it is rare that I sit and watch a whole four-minute clip of somebody I don’t know at all, but I was fascinated by what he said… I could totally understand what he was saying. I am not an athlete, but it reminded me a little bit of back when I practiced law.
You would kill yourself getting ready for this big trial. It is like the Super Bowl of law. I mean, it is night and day with no sleep and [you spend] years that way. And then you try the case, and, yes, you would win… And you’d be so thrilled at having the W. You would go out and celebrate that night, and then the next day it’s just done…
I’ve never heard a professional athlete just be so honest about it and just get really real about how that high is a bit of a false god. What’s real is sitting in your living room… I think about my kids when they were babes in their cribs. They smell so good, and they are so happy to see you in the morning when you go in to get them. You’ve already won. This is daily winning. The W is staring you in the face.
It’s not to say you shouldn’t have any professional ambition. It’s just when you have that satisfaction – that true, real love and joy – it’s like everything else is kind of gravy. I’m not even sure if you can get the high from winning on the golf course or… in my case, in the ratings, or whatever god you’re chasing.
Once you know what really matters, that fulfillment is up [so high]. Maybe you can bump up a degree or two, but I don’t know. Even people who don’t have kids, I think, can recognize the disappointment of chasing something that is kind of false – whether it’s an Oscar in Hollywood or a trophy in sports. Not to undermine the whole process, and the discipline, and being great at something, but, like, the win isn’t necessarily all it’s cracked up to be…
What a great gift he gave us. [What] a great reminder that whether it’s this huge goal that everybody in the world… has watched and knows about or it’s something in your private life that you’ve prioritized – like getting a raise, or getting a new job title, or getting a social media like, or getting the right invitation to the right cocktail parties – they are all false. They are not going to do the thing for you that you are looking for.
Really, look inside your living room. That is where the answer is.”
You can check out Megyn’s full analysis by tuning in to episode 1,110 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM’s Triumph (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.