‘Mentally Fatigued’ Scottie Scheffler Is Unbothered by Fatherhood Hurdles but Is Bothered About Something Else

Who would have thought that Scottie Scheffler would come up with a T41 in the U.S. Open? No one! This one marked his worst performance since his T-17 finish at La Quinta Country Club. The golfer has seen various highs and lows throughout the year: he had a baby, was arrested, and has won 5 times so far this season, one of which victories came at the Masters, and still, it’s halfway to go. 

The World No. 1 golfer, after a devastating ending at Pinehurst No. 2, is back for yet another PGA Tour challenge. He is set to compete in the Travelers Championship, which starts on June 20 and ends on June 23. Before the tournament kicks off, Scheffler opens up about the unique mental strain that golf puts on the players.

Scottie Scheffler shares a reality check on the mental issues every golfer has to face

In the pre-tournament presser, Scottie Scheffler offered a rare glimpse into the challenges he is facing at the moment. He explained that golf demands a steady and focused mind, which can be tough to maintain over consecutive tournaments. Despite his rigorous physical routine, the 27-year-old admitted that the mental toll is more formidable. “I think mentally fatigued. I think with golf, the physical aspect of it is something you can really train for. The mental part is, I would say, more difficult to train for,” he said.

Talking about how heat won’t bother him this much in the coming weekend, he shared that he is from Texas, so hot weather is the least of his problems. “As far as the neat heat goes, I’m from Texas, so it’s actually cold up here for me. I was a little chilly this morning when I got out there on the course. But, yeah, I would think mentally, it’s always more challenging than it is physically.”

The 11-time PGA Tour winner emphasized that golfers have to constantly strategize, make precise calculations, and stay composed under varying conditions, which can be mentally exhausting. Beyond the course, Scheffler shared his fatherhood journey, revealing the joys and challenges it brings. 

He described the delight in watching his son Bennett, calling the experience “a ton of fun” and “really special.” He illustrated his new reality in detail, highlighting how every small moment with his son fills him with joy and amazement. “We were riding in the car; dinner was about a half hour away, and I swear every minute I was like, Mere, look what he’s doing; look at him. It’s like, after 15 minutes, it’s like, all right, you can probably stop telling your wife to look at her son,” he recounted with a smile.

However, this joy comes with its own set of challenges. Scheffler acknowledged the unpredictability of a newborn’s schedule, he said, “He does a decent job at night, but every night’s a mystery.” Despite the sleep disruptions and adjustments, he expressed gratitude for the health of his wife, Meredith, and his son, “Fatherhood has been great. It’s really special to see him develop basically daily.”But what sets him apart from the rest, is that he is grappled with bad circumstances from time to time, and still manages to come out on top!

Scottie Scheffler is a fighter on and off the course

Scheffler’s arrest during the PGA Championship at Valhalla has undoubtedly contributed to his mental fatigue. Remarkably, Scheffler bounced back quickly. After being released, he returned to the course the same morning and teed off. He shot a total of 13 under, 8 strokes behind the winner, Xander Schauffele, finishing the tournament tied for 8th place. 

His resilience didn’t stop there. In the following tournament, the RBC Canadian Open, he secured a T-2 finish, totaling 271 strokes and finishing at 9-under par. It demonstrates his ability to overcome adversity. He capped off this impressive run by winning the Memorial Tournament on June 9, 2024. These results highlight Scheffler’s consistency and ability to perform under pressure across multiple events.

After a setback in the U.S. Open, will Scottie Scheffler be able to show the golf world the fighter spirit he holds? Tune in for more and share your reflection in the comments.