Scottie Scheffler has promised to quit golf if it starts to affect his family, having told reporters the sport does not offer him a "fulfilling life".
Scheffler is hoping to win his fourth major crown at this week's Open Championship, having previously won two editions of the Masters as well as May's PGA Championship.
The American is the favourite to claim the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush, having led all players for major wins (three) and top 10s (15) since the start of 2020.
However, he does not see golf as everything, particularly after his wife Meredith gave birth to the couple's first son last year.
"This is not a fulfilling life," he told reporters on Tuesday. "It's fulfilling from the sense of accomplishment, but it's not fulfilling from a sense of the deepest places of your heart.
"There are a lot of people that make it to what they thought was going to fulfil them in life, and you get there, you get to number one in the world, and they're like, 'what's the point?'
"I really do believe that because, what is the point? Why do I want to win this tournament so bad? That's something that I wrestle with on a daily basis."
Scheffler had an eventful 2024, claiming a four-stroke victory at Augusta National in April, then being arrested on the eve of the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, just a month later.
Scheffler was charged with second-degree assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer, though all of those charges were later dropped.
The 29-year-old, who also had to overcome a nasty hand injury earlier this year, added that he would rather be considered a great father than a great golfer, hinting his career could be a short one.
"I'm blessed to be able to play golf, but 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," Scheffler added.
"This is not the be-all and end-all. This is not the most important thing in my life. That's why I wrestle with, 'why is this so important to me?'
"I'd much rather be a great father than I would be a great golfer. That's what's more important to me."
