“I Told Him No”: Scottie Scheffler Refuses Celtics Autograph at Travelers Championship

World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler, known for his impressive record and proud Texan roots, had an interesting encounter with a fan during the 2024 Travelers Championship. Scheffler, who has been dominating men’s golf and is a two-time Masters champion, showed his Texan pride when he refused to sign an autograph for a fan sporting Boston Celtics gear.

Although Scheffler was born in New Jersey, he grew up and still resides in the Dallas area. His love for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks is no secret. Unfortunately for Scheffler, the Mavericks were defeated by the Boston Celtics 4-1 in the NBA Finals, with the deciding Game 5 loss occurring just days before the Travelers Championship began.

Cromwell, Connecticut, the site of this week’s tournament, is firmly within Boston sports territory. This prompted a reporter to ask Scheffler if he had encountered any jeering from local fans. Before the reporter could finish the question, Scheffler humorously interrupted, “Do I have to answer this question?” eliciting laughter from the crowd.

Scheffler explained that he didn’t anticipate much trash talk from other pros, including Vermont native and defending champion Keegan Bradley, despite Bradley’s known support for Boston teams. “Maybe Keegan, but probably not,” Scheffler remarked. “I wouldn’t really expect it from him.”

However, Scheffler’s disappointment over the Mavericks’ loss became evident during a practice round at TPC River Highlands. A fan approached him, asking for an autograph on a Celtics hat. Normally generous with autographs, Scheffler’s response was different this time. “I did get one fan today ask me to sign a Celtics hat, and I told him no,” Scheffler joked, drawing more laughter from the press tent. Aside from this incident, Scheffler noted there hadn’t been much interaction related to the NBA Finals.

Despite the off-course distractions, Scheffler performed admirably, shooting a five-under 65 on Thursday. This score put him within three shots of early leader Tom Kim. Scheffler’s focus and determination suggest that his competitive spirit remains strong, perhaps even fueled by his recent NBA disappointment.

Scottie Scheffler’s refusal to sign the Celtics hat might seem minor, but it underscores his loyalty and competitive nature. As he continues to lead in the world of golf, fans can expect his Texan pride to remain a driving force behind his success.