Scottie Scheffler reveals passion for new sport as he’s tipped to ditch golf and go pro

Scottie Scheffler’s Surprising Passion: Will He Swap Golf for a New Sport?

 

Scottie Scheffler, currently ranked number one in the World Golf Rankings, is known for his dominance on the golf course. With a staggering 757.25147 points, Scheffler stands head and shoulders above his competition, including second-ranked Xander Schauffele, who trails behind with 472.22409 points. At just 28, the Texas native has already secured his place in golfing history with two Masters wins in 2022 and 2024, as well as an impressive tally of 13 PGA Tour victories. But recently, Scheffler has revealed a surprising passion for a very different sport: pickleball.

 

In a candid interview on Golf’s Subpar YouTube channel, Scheffler opened up about his love for the fast-growing sport of pickleball. Known for being a relaxing pastime for many, Scheffler has taken the game seriously, particularly in the off-season. When asked how often he’s been able to play, Scheffler admitted that life as a new father has slowed him down. After welcoming his son, Bennett, in May, Scheffler said he hasn’t been on the pickleball court as often as he would like.

 

“In the last week and a half, I’ve actually played pickleball twice,” Scheffler said during the interview. “I think those are the second and third times I’ve played since Bennett was born, so I’ve definitely slowed down quite a bit. The last off-season looked a bit different, but I still get out there and play a little bit.”

 

While Scheffler remains focused on his golf career, his passion for pickleball is no casual affair. Reports suggest that Scheffler has even competed in celebrity pickleball tournaments, rubbing shoulders with other high-profile athletes and stars. And one fellow golfer has gone as far as to suggest that Scheffler has the potential to turn professional in the sport.

 

Former pro golfer Smylie Kaufman shared his thoughts on Scheffler’s pickleball skills during an episode of his podcast, The Smylie Show. Recalling a memorable game he played with Scheffler and fellow golfer Sam Burns, Kaufman said he was blown away by the world number one’s abilities on the pickleball court.

 

“We had golf carts on the court lighting up the court, it’s late,” Kaufman said. “And so we get to playing pickleball, and I have a good serve – that was something I was able to hang onto for a little bit. But then I really started to struggle getting returns back. It was just mainly because the ball was moving so much, I started to realize that Scottie may be the best pickleball player on tour, and potentially good enough to turn pro. I don’t say that lightly because he’s the best pickleball player I’ve ever played against.”

 

For those unfamiliar with pickleball, the game is a blend of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. Played on a badminton-sized court with a lower net, the game has become a sensation, attracting celebrities from across the spectrum, including Ellen DeGeneres, Michael Phelps, Will Ferrell, Billie Eilish, and even Leonardo DiCaprio. The sport has taken the world by storm, and it seems that Scheffler has joined the growing ranks of its biggest fans.

 

However, for those worried that Scheffler might be considering a career switch, there’s no reason to panic just yet. While his pickleball skills may be impressive, his golf game is in a league of its own. Scheffler’s 2024 season has been nothing short of extraordinary. In addition to his second Masters win, the golf titan secured a string of prestigious victories, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational in May, The Players Championship, The Memorial, The Travelers Championship, and the TOUR Championship. His earnings for the year have skyrocketed, totaling more than £47.5 million – a testament to his unmatched prowess on the golf course.

 

Scheffler’s victory at The Masters in April was particularly memorable, as he outplayed rising star Ludvig Aberg by four strokes to claim the coveted green jacket. Just days later, he claimed another title at the RBC Heritage, adding to what has already been a standout season. His relentless winning streak has left many fans and experts wondering if there’s anyone who can truly challenge his dominance in the sport of golf.

 

But while his golf game is clearly thriving, Scheffler’s growing passion for pickleball has sparked curiosity. Could we one day see the golf star trading in his clubs for a pickleball paddle? Smylie Kaufman seems to think it’s possible, and if Scheffler’s success on the golf course is any indication, he may very well have what it takes to make a mark in the world of professional pickleball.

 

For now, though, golf fans can breathe easy. Scheffler shows no signs of slowing down his remarkable golf career, and it may be a while before we see him consider any sort of transition to pickleball full-time. But as the sport continues to gain popularity, one thing is for sure: Scottie Scheffler is not a man of just one talent, and whether on the golf course or the pickleball court, he’s a force to be reckoned with.

 

For now, the world will have to wait and see if Scheffler’s pickleball dreams turn into reality. Until then, all eyes will remain on the man who has taken the golfing world by storm, proving that he has more than just one game to master.