It’s easy to forget that even the world’s best golfers can lose their cool under the pressure of competition. Scottie Scheffler’s Olympic gold medal victory in 2024 proved not just his skill, but his mental toughness. However, behind the scenes, there was a crucial moment when his caddie, Ted Scott, played an unexpected role in keeping Scheffler from making a huge mistake.

It all went down on the back nine at Le Golf National. Scottie Scheffler was grinding through a tough round, and his putter just wasn’t cooperating. Frustration boiled over, and in a split second, he had a thought that could have cost him dearly: breaking his putter.

“I was walking off the green, and I was so frustrated,” Scheffler recalled. “Tom Kim was kind of standing there, and I was looking at Teddy, like, ‘Can I break it?’” It was a critical moment, one where frustration could have led to a decision Scheffler would have surely regretted. A broken putter wouldn’t just have messed up his chances of finishing the round but could have damaged his focus for the rest of the event.

That’s when Scott’s experience and calm demeanor came into play. Seeing the bigger picture, he jumped in right away.“Teddy just kind of grabbed the putter out of my hand and said, ‘Not yet,'” Scheffler laughed. “I was angry, but we both kind of turned it into a bit of a joke. If he’d said yes, I would’ve 100% snapped it over my knee right then and there.”

What could have been a foolish mistake in the heat of the moment ended up being a perfect example of the trust between a golfer and his caddie. For Scottie Scheffler, winning the Olympic gold medal wasn’t just about the shots he made—it was about the people who kept him grounded when things seemed to be falling apart.

And for Scott, knowing when to step in and hold back his player was as crucial as any club he handed him during that wild final round.

Their partnership is more than professional. And let’s face it, 2024 was an absolute heater of a season for Scottie Scheffler. With Teddy by his side, the wins piled up—and so did the paychecks. The result? Scott wasn’t just a key part of Scheffler’s success; he also became one of the highest-paid caddies of the year.

Ted Scott: The Man Behind Scottie Scheffler’s Success

Sticking by Scottie Scheffler’s side has certainly been a win-win for Ted Scott. But let’s be clear—it’s not just about the money. It’s about mutual respect, trust, and the kind of partnership that goes beyond golf. Since they teamed up in late 2021, Scott has been more than just a guy carrying the bag. He’s been Scheffler’s steady hand, his go-to guy, and, let’s be honest, the calm voice of reason when things get intense.

Like at the Olympics, when Scheffler almost let his frustration take over. Scott was right there, stepping in with a little humor and just the right amount of perspective to keep things on track. But this isn’t a one-off thing; it’s the kind of dynamic they’ve built over the years, and it’s been a major key to Scheffler’s success.

Scheffler’s not shy about crediting Scott’s influence, either. After his Masters win, Scheffler went out of his way to make sure Scott shared in the moment. Tradition might dictate that victory walks are for players and their families, but Scheffler insisted Scott join him, calling attention to just how important his caddie has been. “Ted, it’s going to be hard to catch up with you on all these Masters titles. I couldn’t do this without you. What a guy,” Scheffler said, highlighting their unique bond.

And when asked about Scott’s role during that final round at Augusta? Scheffler was quick to sing his praises. “Teddy did a great job of making sure that we kept the golf course in front of us,” he said. “I didn’t get off to the best start, but I had some key up-and-downs, and Teddy once again did a great job of keeping me in it.”

For Scott, moments like these seem surreal. He’s incredibly humble, always passing the credit to those around him. “Honestly, I’m just pinching myself. I don’t know how I get to do this,” Scott once said. “When I was 19 years old, a guy by the name of Ryan Smith told me, ‘If you want to get better at something, find people who are better than you and spend time with them.’ That’s kind of been my motto in life.”

So, yeah, it’s no surprise that this partnership works so well. Scott’s calm demeanor and years of experience perfectly complement Scheffler’s intensity and raw talent. Whether it’s talking him off the ledge at the Olympics or keeping him focused during a major, Scott’s always in the right place at the right time.