Scottie Scheffler Just Won His Second Major—But That’s Not What Defines Him
Scottie Scheffler, the best golfer in the world right now, just captured his second major title of the year at the British Open at Royal Portrush. His dominant performance was the kind you normally associate with legends. But as he stepped off the 18th green on Sunday, it wasn’t the trophy that stood out most—it was the baby in his arms, the kiss from his wife, and the calm presence of a man who knows exactly what matters.
Scheffler’s mindset, more than his golf, is what offers the real takeaway.
Still in his twenties and already a generational talent, Scheffler was asked before the tournament what fuels him—what keeps him pushing to be the best. His answer was strikingly different from the typical responses you’d hear from elite athletes or high-powered executives.
> “There are a lot of people who get to where they thought fulfillment would be—No. 1 in the world—and then ask themselves, ‘What’s the point?’” he told reporters. “Why do I want to win this so badly? That’s something I wrestle with every day.”
Scheffler’s raw honesty cuts through the noise. In a world obsessed with winning, his perspective contrasts sharply with the hyper-competitive mindsets of icons like Tiger Woods or Kobe Bryant. In business and sports, we’re conditioned to chase titles, wins, and milestones. But what if those aren’t the things that bring true meaning? What if we’re climbing the wrong mountain?
For leaders—whether in the boardroom or on the golf course—that’s not just a philosophical question. It’s a strategic one. Without knowing your deeper “why,” you can’t lead with clarity or conviction. And those around you will feel that void.
Even after repeatedly beating the world’s top golfers, Scheffler knows the satisfaction is fleeting.
> “If I win, it’s awesome—for about two minutes. Then it’s on to next week. ‘You’ve won two majors this year, so how badly do you want to win the FedEx Cup now?’ We work so hard for these tiny moments.”
Anyone who’s led a team or closed a big deal knows that feeling. You hit the goal, pop the champagne… and then Monday arrives with a new set of demands. The greats learn to be present in the moment—but not to let the moment define them. Scheffler’s humility is a reminder that success should never be your only identity.
A Texas native, Scheffler won the Byron Nelson Championship in front of his home crowd. For many, that would’ve felt like the pinnacle.
> “I literally worked my whole life to win that tournament,” he said. “You win, hug your family, your sister’s there—it’s amazing. Then it’s like, ‘Okay, what are we having for dinner?’ Life just keeps going.”
That grounded wisdom becomes even more meaningful when you see Scheffler walking off the course with his wife Meredith and their baby boy, Bennett, after his British Open win. This wasn’t just a champion enjoying the applause—it was a father returning to his family.
> “I love playing this game. It brings me so much joy. But does it fulfill the deepest parts of me? Absolutely not,” he said. “I love being a father. I love taking care of my son. I love being able to provide for my family. Every day I wake up early and go put in the work, my wife thanks me for working so hard. And when I come home, I thank her for caring for our son.”
That’s a kind of gratitude we rarely hear from top-tier performers—but maybe it’s the most important kind. In business, we still sometimes hear echoes of the old-school mentality: leave your personal life at the door. But that thinking is changing.
As Forbes contributor Roger Trapp recently pointed out, research now shows that having a supportive spouse can enhance a person’s ability to help others in the workplace. That, in turn, makes them more valuable and contributes to a stronger organizational culture.
For Scheffler, that’s not a research insight—it’s his reality.
> “I’m blessed to play golf for a living. But if it ever began to harm my marriage or affect my relationship with my son, that would be my last day as a professional golfer,” he said. “Golf is not the most important thing in my life. And that’s why I wrestle with why it means so much—because I’d rather be a great father than a great golfer.”
After years of interviewing champions—from Walter Payton to John Wooden—I’ve learned something: the ones who endure, who leave legacies, are the ones who root their identity in something deeper than trophies and titles.
Scottie Scheffler is one of those rare leaders. Right now, he may be the greatest golfer in the world. But he’s already something far more valuable: a man who understands what truly matters.
In a culture that prizes hustle over home, and performance over peace, that might be his most impressive victory yet.