World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler won the British Open by four strokes on Sunday, July 20, 2025. But his comments about putting faith before fame have touched hearts around the world.
How many times do we think that next big thing will finally make us happy? Maybe it’s a promotion, a new house, or just getting recognition for our hard work.
Scheffler stands at the very top of professional golf, yet he tells us none of that stuff fills the empty spaces in our hearts.
His words remind us of what we already know deep down but sometimes forget.
A Dominant Victory
Scheffler dominated the tournament at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. The 29-year-old Texan shot three under par in the final round to finish 17 under for the week. He beat American Harris English by four shots to win his fourth major championship.
When Scheffler sank his final putt, he walked straight to his wife Meredith and son Bennett.
The family embraced on the 18th green while cameras captured the moment.
Scottie Scheffler’s son after Scottie won ANOTHER major championship
Just another Sunday for Bennett Scheffler pic.twitter.com/rPun0Bg9aO
— ESPN (@espn) July 20, 2025
But what Scheffler said next surprised many people.
“I have a tremendous amount of gratitude towards moments like these,” Scheffler told reporters. “I literally worked my entire life to become good at this game and play this game for a living. It’s one of my greatest joys of my life to compete out here.”
Then he said something that made everyone stop and listen.
“This is amazing to win the Open Championship, but at the end of the day, having success in life, whether it be in golf, work, whatever it is, that’s not what fulfills the deepest desires of your heart.”
Faith First, Golf Third
Scheffler made his priorities crystal clear. “I would say my greatest priorities are my faith and my family,” he said. “Those come first for me. Golf is third in that order.”
“My faith & my family is what’s most important to me… I don’t think I’m anything special because some weeks I’m better at shooting a lower score than other guys are.”
– British Open Champion Scottie Scheffler pic.twitter.com/sRSLwYgY5a— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) July 20, 2025
Scheffler went on to explain how he sees himself. “I’ve said it for a long time, golf is not how I identify myself. I don’t identify myself by winning tournaments, chasing trophies, being famous or whatever it is.”
This message has stayed the same throughout his career. Scheffler calls himself a “Christ Follower” on his social media. After winning the Masters in 2022, he shared his real motivation.
“The reason why I play golf is I’m trying to glorify God and all that He’s done in my life,” Scheffler said. “So for me, my identity isn’t a golf score.”
After winning Olympic gold in 2024, Scheffler again pointed to his faith. “My identity is in Christ, not in medals or trophies,” he said.
A Deeper Question
Before the British Open started, Scheffler asked a question that caught everyone off guard. He wondered what the point was of being number one in the world.
“This is not a fulfilling life,” he said during a press conference earlier in the week. “It’s fulfilling from the sense of accomplishment, but it’s not fulfilling from the sense of the deepest places of your heart. There’s a lot of people who make it to what they thought was going to fulfill them in life and then you get to No. 1 in the world and they’re like, ‘What’s the point?'”
Scheffler admits he struggles with wanting to win “so badly” when he knows victories don’t last forever. He calls golf “one of the greatest joys” of his life. But he says it doesn’t “fill the deepest wants and desires of my heart.”
His family fills that space instead.
“That’s why I talk about family being my priority, because it really is,” he explained.
“I’m blessed to be able to come out here and play golf, but, if my golf ever started affecting my home life or if it ever affected the relationship I have with my wife or with my son, that’s gonna be the last day that I play out here for a living.” Scheffler said.
The Real Victory
After winning his second Masters this past April, Scheffler shared what his friends told him that morning. “My buddies told me this morning, ‘My victory was secure on the cross,'” he said.
“And that’s a pretty special feeling to know that I’m secure for forever and it doesn’t matter if I win this tournament or lose this tournament. My identity is secure for forever.” Scheffler shared.
“My buddy’s told me this morning … my victory’s secure on the cross.”
Powerful words from 2024 #Masters champion Scottie Scheffler after his win on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/woRSd519r2
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) April 15, 2024
This peace comes from his relationship with Jesus. “You’ve really got to look at the motivation for why I play. For me, I have a relationship with Jesus Christ,” Scheffler explained.
“That’s why I play golf. I’m out here to compete because that’s where He wants me. He’s in control of what happens in the end.”
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Living Out Faith Daily
Scheffler lives out his faith every day. He studies the Bible with his caddie Ted Scott. He also helps run ministry retreats for college golfers with his friend Sam Burns.
His morning routine sets the tone for everything else. “When I started really prioritizing quiet time in the morning – reading Scripture – and setting my mind each morning to things that are true and things that are good, that was really when I could see significant change in my life,” he shared on the ‘Bible Caddie Podcast.’
He added, “Getting the Word in first thing in the morning, reading God’s Word and just trying to live like Jesus did the best way we can.”
Sharing the Gospel
Scheffler uses his fame to share the gospel message. “We have a Creator. God created the earth, and He sent His Son to save us,” he said.
“The Lord covered our sins on the cross and victory was secured over death. We will live forever with Christ when we eventually pass on from this earth, and Jesus died and saved us from our sins. It’s really just as simple as that,” Scheffler said.
An Inspiring Example
Scheffler’s story moves us. He has reached the mountain top of professional sports. He has money, fame, a beautiful family, and respect from his peers. Yet he points past all of that to Jesus.
His example makes us think about our own lives. What are we chasing? What do we believe will make us truly happy?
Scheffler found his answer in Christ. He’s not shy about sharing it either. His golf trophies will collect dust someday. But his relationship with Jesus lasts forever. That’s the victory that really counts.
WATCH: Scottie Scheffler Shares Inspiring Words During Press Conference
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Scottie suffered a possible career ending injury and it took him a long time to return to his form of last year. You didn’t hear him whining or complaining about it but just trusted the Lord and worked even harder to get back. I think the people are watching how he relates to his son after a win and even had him with him at the scoring checking place the one victory. He is not trying to get rid of him so he can glow in the spotlight like so many famous people in all kinds of sports do. He is not thanking God because it sounds good like many winners of different sports do and then forget about Him in any other interview. He belongs to the Lord and the Lord is why he is in the form that he is this year after everything he had to go through to get back. I always said this is God’s sport because, except for the materials used, everything depends on Him. What happens after the ball is hit is all Him from there on. No one knows what is going to happen to any shot they hit. They can only hope through all of the variables. That is why I love the sport since I first ever watched it growing up. Now almost 80 I will love it till the day I die. God Bless All.