Scottie Scheffler delivered an extraordinary press conference at Royal Portrush on Tuesday, repeatedly questioning the meaning of his success with the phrase "what's the point?" despite being the favourite for the Open Championship.
The world No1, who has dominated golf since 2022, stunned journalists with philosophical questions about the purpose of his achievements.
"Why do I want to win this golf tournament so badly? Why do I want to win the Open Championship so badly? I don't know because, if I win, it's going to be awesome for two minutes," Scheffler said.
The 29-year-old American's remarks veered into existential territory when asked about celebrating victories.
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|Scottie Scheffler made the candid admissions despite enduring a successful period of his career
His response evolved into what one observer called "a remarkable monologue" featuring repeated questioning of life's meaning.
Scheffler revealed that tournament victories provide only momentary satisfaction before life immediately moves on.
"You win it, you celebrate, get to hug my family, my sister's there, it's such an amazing moment. Then it's like, OK, what are we going to eat for dinner? Life goes on," he said about winning the Byron Nelson event.
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|The world No1 claimed the PGA Championship this year
The three-time major champion described professional golf as fundamentally unfulfilling.
"This is not a fulfilling life," Scheffler stated. "It's fulfilling from the sense of accomplishment, but it's not fulfilling from a sense of the deepest places of your heart.
"I love being able to play this game for a living. But does it fill the deepest wants and desires of my heart? Absolutely not.
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"I'd much rather be a great father than I would be a great golfer. At the end of the day, that's what's more important to me."
The American revealed he would immediately retire if golf interfered with his home life: "If my golf ever started affecting my home life or it ever affected the relationship I have with my wife or my son, that's going to be the last day that I play out here for a living.
"Every day when I wake up early to go put in the work, my wife thanks me for going out and working so hard."
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|The American insisted on the importance of his family over the sport
Scheffler's philosophical questioning appears particularly striking given his extraordinary dominance of professional golf.
Since February 2022, he has won three major championships, 13 PGA Tour titles and earned £70million in prize money.
The American has held the world No1 ranking since 2023 and arrives at Portrush as tournament favourite.
He has already captured two Masters titles and added the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow this year.
At just 29, Scheffler stands on the brink of potentially securing four major wins and three legs of the career Grand Slam.
His 16 career victories since turning professional have drawn comparisons to Tiger Woods's era of dominance.
Yet despite this remarkable success, Scheffler described professional golf as "an unsatisfying venture" during Tuesday's press conference.