Tony Romo has played around 500 rounds of golf with Scottie Scheffler and has never seen him shoot over 70 in those matches. But this is not about the greatness of the world’s No. 1 golfer. Schefler gives Romo strokes in matches, they place side bets, and sometimes even exchange checks instead of cash to settle scores! A close friendship beyond any kind of competitive sphere is bound to form here, and so it has. Over the years, Scheffler has leaned on Romo for advice about handling life in the spotlight as well. Still, even Romo might have been surprised by the reaction he received when he wrote Scheffler’s TIME 100 tribute.

After opening up the RBC Heritage with a three-under, Scheffler had a quick talk with the media. Therein, he addressed Romo’s shoutout and said, “I don’t really know, to be honest with you. I don’t really know, essentially, what that means.”

As for Romo, he has known him since Scheffler was around 14 or 15 years old, when the two first crossed paths in Dallas-area golf circles while Scheffler was still playing junior golf alongside his father. Yet, he did not frame Scheffler’s influence through trophies alone. Instead, he pointed to something he had been observing for years, long before the world No. 1 ranking and major titles became markers of his career.

“To see a young player become this dominant is rare, especially in golf—unless you have something special inside of you. All of the time he has spent at the course all these years is a big reason he is so successful, but his faith and foundation are equally paramount. He has such great perspective on everything. His faith is a strong component of why I believe he’s as great a player as he is. There’s a gift in that.”

Romo’s description of Scheffler’s mindset under pressure also echoed what players and observers have repeatedly noticed during his rise to world No. 1. The same mindset that perhaps helps him handle the spotlight in the nonchalant way that he does. 

“It allows him to be freed up in high-pressure situations. He has a strong will and full belief in himself when he steps over a shot. We play a lot of golf together, and his commitment to his craft—and his love of the game—is impressive.”
Just as telling, though, was the line that closed Romo’s tribute.

“I think he’ll remain at the top for years to come because of the pure joy he has grabbing a golf club and hitting a golf ball. Although I’m going to beat him one day. I have every faith.”

That confidence Romo described has shown up just as clearly in how Scheffler has handled the past week on tour as well, especially in the days immediately following another narrow major finish.

The same perspective carried straight into Harbour Town  after Augusta heartbreak

Just four days after finishing runner-up to Rory McIlroy at The Masters Tournament, Scheffler arrived at the RBC Heritage and opened with a three-under 68 at Harbour Town. The round did not begin cleanly. His opening tee shot went out of bounds, forcing an immediate recovery situation, but he steadied himself with an 11-foot bogey save and settled into the rhythm that has defined much of his season. Birdies at Nos. 3, 5 and 6 helped stabilize the card, and despite another dropped shot at the par-3 seventh, he added two more birdies later in the round to stay within striking distance of the lead.

Scheffler was direct afterward about how he evaluated the day. “I feel like I did some good stuff out there,” he said, noting that the conditions became more difficult late in the round but that his execution remained largely where he wanted it. The performance was yet another piece of evidence of how quickly he resets after major-week intensity, something he has described as part of a “religious process” in how he approaches tournament routines from week to week. That same perspective also shaped how he addressed the TIME 100 recognition during the week. 

“Yeah, I’d much rather try to be a positive influence than a negative one,” he said. “I’m very fortunate to have been able to achieve my dreams, but at the end of the day, like I said at The Open last year, that’s not what satisfies me. If I can be a positive influence on someone’s life, that’s a great thing.”

For Scheffler, recognition may continue to grow, but the response to it rarely changes.