World number one Scottie Scheffler has offered a refreshingly candid perspective ahead of his title defence at The Open Championship, joking that "we're all going to die" and that golf is not the most important thing in life.
Scheffler's Light-Hearted Take on Life and Golf
Speaking to reporters at Royal Liverpool, the 28-year-old American was asked about the pressure of defending his first major title, which he won at St Andrews last year. Scheffler responded with characteristic humour and humility, stating: "I'm not going to lie, I think about it sometimes. We're all going to die. It's just a golf tournament. It's not that serious."
He added: "I love playing golf, I love competing, but at the end of the day, it's just a game. My wife, my family, my faith — those are the things that really matter. If I win, great. If I don't, I'll still go home and be happy."
Preparing for Royal Liverpool
Scheffler arrives at Hoylake in formidable form, having won the Masters in April and recorded five other top-five finishes in his last seven starts. Despite his dominance, he remains grounded. "I don't feel like I'm unbeatable. I just try to prepare as best I can and see what happens," he said.
The world number one acknowledged the unique challenge of links golf, particularly the unpredictable weather and firm, fast fairways. "You have to be creative. You have to accept that bad bounces happen. It's about managing your expectations and your emotions," Scheffler explained.
Family First
Scheffler, who married his college sweetheart Meredith in 2022, emphasised the importance of keeping golf in perspective. "Meredith keeps me grounded. She doesn't care if I shoot 65 or 75. She loves me the same. That's a great feeling," he said.
When asked about the pressure of being the defending champion, Scheffler replied: "I don't feel any extra pressure. I've already won one. If I never win another major, I'll still have had a great career. But I'm hungry for more."
Rory McIlroy and the Competition
Scheffler also commented on rival Rory McIlroy, who is seeking to end a nine-year major drought. "Rory is an incredible player. He's due. I'm sure he'll win many more. But I'm focused on my own game," Scheffler said.
The Open Championship begins on Thursday at Royal Liverpool, with Scheffler teeing off alongside McIlroy and Jon Rahm in a marquee group. Despite the star-studded pairing, Scheffler remains unfazed. "It's just another round of golf. I'm looking forward to it."
