Scottie Scheffler Spends Three-Hour Travelers Championship Delay Changing Diapers

Scottie Scheffler Spends Three-Hour Travelers Championship Delay Changing Diapers

Scottie Scheffler may be the World No. 1 on the golf course, but off the green, he’s just as committed to his role as a dad. This was especially evident during the thunderstorm delay on Friday at The Travelers Championship, where the 28-year-old golfer spent his birthday doting on his newborn son, Bennett.

A Birthday to Remember

On his 28th birthday, Scheffler was chasing fellow birthday boy Tom Kim at the top of the leaderboard. The day seemed perfect until the weather took a turn, and at 4:11 pm ET, the klaxon sounded, halting Scheffler’s round after 16 holes. As the skies darkened, his wife Meredith, ready to hand over parenting duties, joined him in the clubhouse with their newborn son, Bennett, who was born in May.

Dad Mode Activated

Scheffler revealed that he spent the three-hour delay changing diapers and trying to soothe Bennett. “We just hung out, changed a diaper, and tried to get him to stop crying, but it was cold in there, so it was a little tough,” he said after finally finishing his round close to 8 pm.

Storm Delay Couldn’t Dampen His Spirits

Despite the delay, Scheffler maintained his momentum. Before the storm, he had added six birdies and a lone bogey to his impressive opening five-under on Thursday. As he emerged from the clubhouse, he managed to squeeze in his final two holes before daylight faded, capping his round with a birdie on the 18th hole. This performance moved him into a tie for second place alongside Collin Morikawa and Akshay Bhatia, just one shot ahead of PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele.

Reflecting on a Solid Day

Reflecting on his day, Scheffler said, “After the delay, I came out and hit some really nice shots. It was nice to birdie 18 to finish. Before that, I feel like I played a lot of solid golf and did some good things, so overall it was a pretty solid day.”

From Pinehurst Nightmare to Birthday Cheer

Scheffler’s strong performance at TPC River Highlands was a stark contrast to his struggles at Pinehurst No. 2 the previous week. “Definitely better than last week,” he remarked, referencing his difficulties at the ‘torture chamber’ of Pinehurst. “I found a little stuff in my swing and feel like I’m seeing the breaks a lot better on these greens. Definitely feeling some good momentum from the last two days.”

A Sweet Ending

As he exited TPC River Highlands in the fading light, Scheffler was seen pushing Bennett in a stroller with one hand and carrying a birthday cake in the other. The cake, from local bakery Mozzicato’s in nearby Hartford, ended up as a gift to a few dedicated fans who had waited out the storm. Scheffler, ever the gentleman, even signed the box before handing it over.

Scottie Scheffler’s day at The Travelers Championship was a testament to his ability to balance the demands of professional golf with the joys and responsibilities of fatherhood, making it a birthday he—and his fans—will not soon forget.