Scottie Scheffler and his wife, Meredith Scudder, gave birth to their firstborn on May 8. The couple has named their son Bennett. Holding his baby wrapped up in a towel, the current world no. 1 posted on his Instagram handle, “Welcome to the world little one. Your mom & dad love you so much.” The 27-year-old said last month that he would leave Augusta National if Meredith went into labor.

Now the Texas star joked that Bennett did take “a little longer than anticipated for him to come.” Scheffler was included in the PGA Championship field, but there was uncertainty whether he would tee up or not. The thought crossed his mind too.  In a candid chat with Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis, the reigning Masters champion admitted, “It was fairly challenging leaving the house this morning.” Scheffler arrived in Kentucky on Monday afternoon. 

But, he didn’t want to leave. Scottie Scheffler told his father that, “I don’t wanna leave, I gotta leave.” The former Texas Longhorn teammate also revealed that the joy of fatherhood was greater than he anticipated. Scheffler smiles. “I had, I think, pretty high expectations of what I would feel like. Those were far exceeded. I didn’t know exactly what it would feel like. It’s a pretty amazing feeling.”

“It was a fun time at Scheffler house for sure,” the 10-time PGA Tour winner said. Congratulations have followed since the announcement. Jon Rahm, who is expecting his third child with his wife, Kelley Cahill, commented, “Have you had much sleep?”. Scheffler didn’t reveal that from Valhalla, but what he did affirm was his commitment to the game now that he is here. 

Scottie Scheffler is a man focused on his duty

Scheffler had a quick practice session on the back nine at Valhalla just before sitting Lewis. The world no.1 took more significant breaks between practice sessions because of the baby. But at Valhalla Scheffler is looking to get into the groove soon. Weather permitting, a front-nine session is on the plans on Wednesday. 

“As the week goes on, I’ll get more and more, you know, kind of immersed on what I’m doing. Just trying to do my best as present as I can stay on the Golf course.” Scheffler, always an advocate for focusing on the moment, and not on the future outcome, keeps his mantra the same. “Standing here today, I feel like I’m extremely prepared. And, I feel like my game is in a good spot,” the 27-year-old concludes before joking he could definitely use some diaper advice, however.

Scheffler has won four times in his last five starts and is eying his third major victory. Last year, the Texas resident tied for second, two shots behind Brooks Koepka, who is back in the winner’s circle at the right time. But Scheffler is still the bettor’s favorite thanks to his staggering consistency on the greens. The PGA Championship kicks off on May 16.