Scheffler in Awe of the Louvre and the Mona Lisa

Scottie Scheffler, the golfing sensation of the season, recently took a break from the greens to immerse himself in the cultural wonders of Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games. The American star, known for his stellar performances, found himself star-struck by the renowned Louvre Museum and Leonardo Da Vinci’s masterpiece, the Mona Lisa.

Scheffler, a two-time Masters champion at 28, explored the Parisian sights with his wife Meredith and their three-month-old son, Bennett. The family shared their adventures on social media, showcasing their visit to the Louvre and a picturesque moment on a bridge over the Seine river, smiling beneath an umbrella. “Made it to Paris & Bennett loved the Louvre #parisolympics,” Scheffler captioned his post.

The golfer’s Instagram Story featured a video of a woman making a crêpe, with Scheffler noting, “Crêpes in Paris are [fire].” He also showcased a selection of pastries, including a chocolate croissant, adding, “…so are these.”

As he prepares for his Olympic debut, Scheffler is relishing the freedom to explore Paris without the COVID restrictions that impacted the Tokyo Games. Speaking at a press conference at Le Golf National, the Olympic venue south of Paris, Scheffler described his visit to the Louvre: “I could not believe how many people were in there and how big it was,” he said. He expressed his amazement at the museum’s vast collection, mentioning the Mona Lisa as part of the “one tenth of the museum at most” that he managed to see.

After a grueling PGA Tour season, including a challenging final major at The Open in Scotland, Scheffler appreciated the downtime with his family. They enjoyed various Olympic events, such as table tennis, and Scheffler plans to watch gymnastics before focusing on the men’s golf tournament from Thursday to Sunday.

Scheffler has been practicing with his U.S. teammates and praised fellow golfer Xander Schauffele, the Tokyo gold medalist, for his humble nature despite an impressive year. At Le Golf National, Scheffler is benefiting from the experience of his caddie, Ted Scott, who was part of the U.S. Ryder Cup team that played Europe at the same venue in 2018.

Scheffler leads a field of 60 players who will compete in a 72-hole stroke play format starting Thursday, eager to add an Olympic gold to his achievements.