“Sometimes I just don’t understand the point,” Scottie Scheffler admitted at a press conference during the Open Championship, reflecting on career accomplishments and victories. The World No. 1 golfer then went on to win the major at 1 stellar 17-under. Needless to say, the words of the PGA Tour’s star golfer didn’t come without controversy, with veteran Tom Brady being one of the voices against Scheffler. Recently, another golfing pro has broken his silence on the matter.

Mackenzie Hughes joined the Sweet Spot podcast, discussing the latest developments in the sport alongside host Jon Sherman. That’s when the conversation transitioned to how golfers find their identity in the sport. While the answer to this lies in the grays, apparently, the World No. 1 found himself seeking his identity and inner fulfillment beyond the greens. Host Sherman insisted on Rory McIlroy‘s emotional and performance dip since his career grand slam at the Masters, quoting how wins can only provide temporary fulfillment.

That thought echoed Scheffler’s candid reflection at the press, with Sherman adding how it took the golfing world by surprise. Hughes, however, noted that he deeply related to Scheffler’s attitude. “I remember in my last few minutes, he was saying, you know, I’m in this tournament, yeah, like, the feeling goes away pretty quickly. And I remember a lot of that press conference,” Mackenzie Hughes said on the podcast. “And I feel a lot of what Scotty was saying.”

With over a decade of professional golfing experience, Hughes understands where Scheffler comes from. Reflecting on Scheffler’s priorities on faith and family over his golfing career, Hughes likened it to his own fatherhood and personal experiences. “You know, I’ve got three kids. I mean, I’ll admit that even today, I wonder, like, what if I just walked away now?” Hughes added. “My kids are at a great age. They’re very fun. They have lots going on. It would be nice to be home a lot.”

However, the golfer also understands the responsibility of fatherhood and where his career comes in. Wanting to set an example for his kids and instill values of hard work and determination, Hughes believes there’s a fine line between his priorities. To effectively leverage this, one must balance their time on the courses with their time spent on other spheres of their lives. However, Hughes believes that when all is done, golf wouldn’t be on his mind during the last moments of his life.

“Say I make it to 94. And I’m laying there. At the end, you know, I’ve got a few more breaths. And I’m leaving this world. I know for a fact I will not be thinking about golf. I will not be thinking about a tournament I didn’t win. The shot I want back — I’ll just want everyone that I love around me,” Hughes explained. “I will want one more hug. I will want a few more moments with those people. And, yeah, I mean, that’s it. That’s life.”

This sums up the soul of what Scottie Scheffler had proposed that evening in front of the mics. While easy to mistake it as the golfer’s nihilistic philosophy, Scheffler essentially shared the multi-faceted nature of life. “I would say my greatest priorities are my faith and my family. Those come first for me. Golf is third in that order. 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,” Scheffler explained.

While Scheffler still enjoys playing golf, it doesn’t provide him with complete inner fulfillment. As Scheffler quoted, even though the highs of the victories are intense, “life goes on.” Here comes the tricky part. Despite his comments on the fleeting nature of these achievements, Brady interpreted it as his struggles with priorities. However, Hughes believes Scheffler’s reflection to be an authentic take on life rather than a negative outlook towards golf.

But, as it turns out, the battle over priorities has been a constant for numerous other golfers. Where’s the sweet spot?

Professional golfers’ struggles with career-life balance

Even the most elite golfers often struggle, whether that’s in their professional careers or their personal lives. However, the most challenging obstacles emerge as golfers navigate the balance between the said elements. Europe’s top icon and grand slam winner, Rory McIlroy, is no stranger to this phenomenon. The golfer has made headlines since last year owing to his divorce and subsequent reunion with wife Erica Stoll.

The entire chapter of this dip in his marriage was documented in the series ‘Full Swing.’ McIlroy himself narrated parts of the episodes, adding in the third episode, “I think it was a wake-up call for me to say, ‘Let’s just focus on the golf for a little bit.’” This reflects the need to treat the golfing personalities as human beings with their own lives. Regardless, it also tackles the heavy topics of his struggles with setting priorities.

“Sometimes I’ve struggled with the balance of trying to be the best golfer, trying to be the best husband, or the best dad. Sometimes I get overwhelmed, and it can be a little too much for me,” McIlroy shared. “Thankfully, everything has worked out for the best, and we’re happy and moving forward and can’t wait for what lies ahead.” The couple has a daughter, Poppy.

In contrast, Tony Finau has had an easier time balancing family time with golf. “I spend my workday on the golf course, in some of the nicest locations and climates around the world, but as a father, I’m often away from what’s most important to me,” he said. “I’m a dad, a husband, and a professional golfer, in that order.” Finau set his priorities straight.

As it turns out, Scottie Scheffler’s comments were more of a meditation on these common struggles every golfer faces. Although it sparked a healthy amount of controversy, it also garnered appreciation from the entire community.