PORTRUSH Northern Eire — The trustworthy meaning-of-life riff that world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler delivered Tuesday had fellow gamers speaking Wednesday.
Scheffler, regardless of greater than $100 million in on-course earnings, three main championships and greater than a dozen victories since 2022, spoke about how golf was not “fulfilling’’ his life and even requested out loud, “What’s the purpose?’’
The day earlier than, Rory McIlroy, ranked No. 2 on the earth, talked concerning the “hamster wheel’’ skilled golf has turn into, with no time to leap off the wheel and benefit from the fruits of your labor.
“I imagine there’s some fact behind Scottie’s phrases for positive,’’ reigning U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun stated Wednesday. “You do have these excessive aspirations, these desires to perform issues in golf on the highest stage, and you then do and it occurs so fast. Then you definitely’re so elated, after which abruptly it’s like, ‘Now what?’
“I attempted to sink it in as a lot as doable, and it did, nevertheless it’s a bizarre feeling. I by no means thought I might win a significant. Just a few years in the past I used to be simply attempting to get in them. So, yeah, there’s some testomony to that. I believe it goes again to your priorities, what you actually need to accomplish not solely on this recreation, however in your life.
“I believe that’s true to what Scottie stated, like he’s extra targeted on being a greater particular person off the course than reaching historic monuments, monumental issues on the course.’’
Justin Rose referred to as it “a cool take to listen to what Scottie was saying.’’
“Clearly, he’s acquired the remainder of his life so properly so as and his priorities and clearly his household and religion and all these issues,’’ Rose stated. “He’s acquired these rocks in place in his life that it form of was cool to see that golf clearly is what he likes to do however doesn’t outline him. It was nice to listen to, fairly actually.
“For positive, I’ve been in that related state of affairs by way of attending to world No. 1. It’s one thing you try and try and try and try for, and also you obtain it and also you’re like, ‘Oh OK, it’s not essentially what you think about it to be, however the work and the journey to get there may be the fun. That’s the thrilling half.
“I believe that’s nonetheless to at the present time what retains me going is basically simply form of be higher tomorrow as an individual and as a golfer than I’m at present and that’s sufficient. Clearly, you need it to manifest into event wins and ticking off your targets and your desires, however actually the journey and the method of getting there may be the place it’s important to attempt to discover the enjoyment.’’
Rose stated Scheffler’s phrases have been “very relatable for positive.’’
“There’s been moments in my profession the place you summit to the highest of the rankings and also you form of possibly understand it to be greater than it truly is on the time,’’ he stated. “I believe it’s only a nice reminder for what he stated that yeah, there are clearly different issues in life and it’s about having all of your huge rocks in place, and clearly he has household and religion, as my household is in place.
“These are the issues that give me the best pleasure.
“Pay attention, we spend a whole lot of time taking part in golf. We spend a whole lot of time focusing. I’ve been dreaming about being a professional golfer since I used to be in all probability 5 years outdated. So, it’s an enormous a part of me and I need to honor that at all times. I’m solely 45 years outdated, let’s say, midway by means of my life, I hope. I additionally hope to be much more than a golfer. It’s good perspective to not make or not it’s the whole lot.’’
