On Sunday, April 21, professional golfer Scottie Scheffler – the number one golfer in the world – won the RBC Heritage tournament in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina – his second tournament win in as many weeks. He bested Chris Kirk by four strokes.
The week prior, Scheffler won his second green jacket at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14. Scheffler finished his round at -11, besting second-place Ludvig Åberg by four strokes.
The 27-year-old turned pro in 2018. He and his wife Meredith are expecting their first child later this month.
Following his dominating performance at the Masters, Scheffler gave a powerful pro-faith, pro-family press conference. He responded to a question about his desire to win by recounting a conversation he had that morning with friends.
“I was sitting around with my buddies this morning, and I was a bit overwhelmed. Because I told them, ‘I wish that I didn’t want to win as badly as I do.’ I love winning. I hate losing, I really do.”
“My buddies told me this morning, you know, my victory was secured on the cross,” he shared, adding,
That’s a pretty special feeling. To know that I’m secured for forever, and it doesn’t matter whether I win this tournament, or I lose this tournament. My identity is secured for forever.
Scheffler was then asked about how his faith features into his golf game while he’s out on the course.
“I believe that today’s plans were already laid out many years ago,” Scheffler shared. “I can do nothing to mess up those plans. I’ve been given a gift of this talent, and I use it for God’s glory and that’s pretty much it.”
He said that when he’s out competing, he still really wants to win. “I’ve been that way since I was a young kid.”
“But at the end of the day, my identity is secured already. … Win or lose, my identity is secured.”
Additionally, Scheffler discussed his growing family. His wife Meredith is expected to give birth any day now.
“I’m excited. It’s funny, when you get married, a lot of people tend to make jokes like, ‘Oh, your life’s over.’ My friends were always very excited for me to get married, but you get some people off hand making jokes.”
When it comes to having a kid, every single person says that it changes your life and that it’s the most special thing in the world. Marriage has been such a tremendous aspect of my life; I cannot even imagine what being a parent is going to be like.
“What I’m looking forward to most about being a parent is being able to love my child like my parents loved me,” Scheffler added.
You can watch Scheffler’s full press conference below:
It’s refreshing to hear a prominent athlete – especially one who’s at the very top of his game – laud faith, marriage, and parenthood so highly.
It’s particularly important because an increasing number of American adults say that marriage and parenthood are not important to them.
According to the Pew Research Center, 71% of Americans say that having a job or career they enjoy is “extremely/very important” in order for them to living a fulfilling life. But only 26% say the same about having children, and just 23% say being married is “extremely/very important” to them.
We need our pastors, parents, and prominent celebrities to help re-catechize Americans about the importance of marriage and family.
We thank Scottie Scheffler for doing just that.
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame. (Psalm 127:3-5, ESV).
Focus on the Family is presenting upcoming two-day Resist the Drift Marriage Conferences. Attending couples will receive Bible-based concepts and tools from our trained marriage professionals on how to reconnect and strengthen their marriages. You can learn more about these events.
To learn more about the Christian faith, check out C.S. Lewis’ classic Mere Christianity. You can also listen to Focus on the Family’s award winning Radio Theater: C.S. Lewis at War.
If you want to better understand the Bible and be part of God’s redemptive mission, check out RVL Discipleship: The Study.
To speak with a family help specialist or request resources, please call us at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
Related articles and resources:
Scottie Scheffler: ‘I Believe in Jesus. That’s What Defines Me Most.’
Focus on the Family: Marriage Assessment
Focus on the Family: Marriage Enrichment Events
Photo from Getty Images.
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