World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler has abruptly withdrawn from the Houston Open — but there’s no cause for concern.
Scheffler, 29, and his wife, Meredith, are imminently expecting their second baby, according to Golf Channel.
The couple, who got married in December 2020, welcomed their son, Bennett, in May 2024, just weeks after Scheffler won his second Masters tournament.
If all goes according to plan, Scheffler should be back on the course for the 2026 Masters, which begins on April 9.
Despite being one of the most dominant athletes in their sport in the world, Scheffler has been vocal about the fact that golf does not define him.
“Because what’s the point?” Scheffler said during a press conference ahead of the 153rd Open Championship in June 2025. “This is not a fulfilling life. It’s fulfilling from the sense of accomplishment, but it’s not fulfilling from 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. Then you get there and all of a sudden you get to No. 1 in the world and they’re like, ‘What’s the point?’”
Scheffler said that being a good dad and husband supersedes whatever accomplishments might come his way professionally.
“I love being a father,” he gushed. “I love being able to take care of my son. I love being able to provide for my family out here playing golf. Every day when I wake up early to go put in the work, my wife thanks me for going out and working so hard.”
He continued, “When I get home, I try and thank her every day for taking care of our son. It’s why I talk about family being my priority, because it really is. I’m blessed to be able to come out here and play golf. But if golf ever started affecting my home life or it ever affected the relationship I have with my wife or with my son, that’s going to be the last day that I play out here for a living.”
The four-time major champion candidly admitted that the “euphoric feeling” of winning a tournament only lasts for so long, specifically referencing his victory at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson tournament in May 2025, which took place in McKinney, Texas, about 30 miles away from where he grew up.
“I literally worked my entire life to become good at golf to have an opportunity to win that tournament,” he said. “And you win it. You celebrate. Get to hug my family, my sister’s there. It’s such an amazing moment. And then it’s like, ‘OK, now what are we going to eat for dinner?’”
