U.S. golfer Scottie Scheffler takes emotional gold at Olympics, maintains identification in Christ alone
By Kevin Mercer Aug 5, 2024
Olympic gold medalist golfer Scottie Scheffler of the US, Aug. 4, 2024. (AP Photograph/Matt York)
As American golfer Scottie Scheffler stood atop the rostrum on the Paris Olympics and listened to the tune of “The Star-Spangled Banner” resound from the audio system, together with his spouse, Meredith, and their new child son, Bennett, trying on from the stands, tears came to his eyes.
>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports and faith connect <<
With a flurry of birdies, Scheffler — the No. 1 golfer in the world — had simply surged from 4 photographs again at the beginning of Sunday’s remaining spherical, and 6 photographs behind halfway by it, to seize the gold medal for the US.
He shot a 9-under 62 (tying the course record) Sunday and received by one stroke over Englishman Tommy Fleetwood. Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama took the bronze. Scheffler’s 19-under 265 throughout 72 holes is an Olympic document.
Profound feelings for Scottie Scheffler listening to the Star-Spangled Banner after profitable Olympic gold. 🥹🇺🇸
📺 Golf Channel and Peacock | #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/kgsOVOBZjD
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) August 4, 2024
“It’s been an extended week. It’s been a difficult week,” Scheffler said in the post-round press conference. “I performed some nice golf immediately, and I’m proud to be going house with a medal. … It was simply very emotional being up there on stage there because the flag is being raised and sitting there singing the nationwide anthem. That’s undoubtedly one I’ll keep in mind for a very long time.”
Scheffler was on the follow vary, busy getting ready for what he thought can be a playoff, when he was told he had secured gold after Fleetwood simply missed a 100-foot shot on the 18th inexperienced.
The second Scottie Scheffler grew to become an OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST. 🇺🇸🙌
📺 Golf Channel and Peacock pic.twitter.com/gMVfc7erux
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 4, 2024
His gold-medal efficiency in Paris was moderately becoming, contemplating Scheffler already had recorded one of many extra spectacular seasons in current {golfing} historical past. The 28-year-old has received six PGA Tour tournaments this 12 months, together with his second career Masters title (his first was in 2022).
When requested in Sunday’s press convention about how including an Olympic gold to his rising listing of accomplishments impacted his legacy, Scheffler stated he hadn’t given it any thought.
“That’s not likely one thing that involves thoughts,” he responded. “I really like being out right here competing. It’s certainly one of my favourite issues on the earth to do and it’s an awesome pleasure in my life. I’m proud to be out right here competing. So far as my legacy goes, I actually don’t give it some thought an excessive amount of. That is simply a part of my life that I do out right here and it’s one thing that I work very onerous at. I’m proud to be sitting right here with a gold medal.”
Nearly as good as he could also be and as typically as he might win, Scheffler has by no means been one who is simply too wrapped up in his identification as a golfer. He says his identification lies elsewhere.
“The rationale why I play golf is I’m making an attempt to glorify God and all that He’s carried out in my life,” he said after his Masters win in 2022. “So for me, my identification isn’t a golf rating.”
He reiterated that sentiment after incomes his second inexperienced jacket this April.
“My buddies instructed me this morning, ‘My victory was safe on the cross,’” he said. “And that’s a fairly particular feeling to know that I’m safe for endlessly and it doesn’t matter if I win this match or lose this match. My identification is safe for endlessly.”
“My buddy’s instructed me this morning … my victory’s safe on the cross.”
Highly effective phrases from 2024 #Masters champion Scottie Scheffler after his win on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/woRSd519r2
— Sports activities Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) April 15, 2024
Scheffler stated it was in school at Texas that he really started to grasp what Christ had carried out for him. Now as a follower of Christ on the PGA Tour, he actively attends Bible research together with his caddie Ted Scott — about whom Scheffler stated Sunday, “Teddy all the time does a extremely good job of protecting me in the correct head house” — and Scheffler co-hosts an annual ministry retreat as half the College Golf Fellowship together with pal and fellow professional golfer Sam Burns. Scheffler was additionally featured within the Summer season 2022 version of Sports Spectrum Magazine.
“I’m a devoted man,” Scheffler said prior to his second Masters win. “I imagine in a Creator. I imagine in Jesus. Finally, I believe that’s what defines me essentially the most. I really feel like I’ve been given a platform to compete, and, you already know, present my expertise. It’s not something that I did.
“… It’s onerous to explain the sensation, however I believe that’s what defines me essentially the most is my religion. I imagine in a single Creator, that I’ve been referred to as to return out right here, do my finest, compete, and glorify God.”
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
RELATED STORIES:
– Scottie Scheffler wins 2nd Masters in 3 years, says he uses his talent ‘for God’s glory’
– Scottie Scheffler dominates API, but knows ‘my life’s not a golf score’
– Scottie Scheffler voted 2022 PGA Tour Player of the Year with his identity in Christ
– 20 Christ-following U.S. Olympians to watch at the 2024 Paris Games
– South African Tatjana Smith wins Olympic gold, aims to ‘glorify God’s name’
