The Masters, one of the four major golf championships in the PGA, begins today and ends on Sunday. As the first major golf tournament of the year, The Masters is played at the beautiful Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.
The winner of The Masters is awarded a distinct Green Jacket, which is bestowed on them by the previous year’s winner – Jon Rahm won in 2023.
This year, Scottie Scheffler makes his fifth Masters appearance, hoping to snag another victory. He last won The Masters in 2022, when he bested Rory McIlroy by three strokes. The 27-year-old turned pro in 2018. He and his wife Meredith are expecting their first child later this month.
In a press conference leading up to this year’s tournament, Scheffler – who some consider the number one golfer in the world – was asked about how golf defines him as a person.
“Hopefully it doesn’t define me too much,” Scheffler replied, “It’s just something that I do, but it doesn’t define me as a person.”
Scheffler then revealed who he believes ultimately defines him.
“I’m a faithful guy. I believe in a Creator. I believe in Jesus,” he said. “Ultimately, I think that’s what defines me the most.”
He added:
I’ve been given a platform to compete and show my talent. It’s not anything that I did. … I think that’s what defines me the most is my faith. I believe in one Creator, and I’ve been called to come out here, do my best, compete, and glorify God. And that’s pretty much it.
You can watch a longer clip of Scheffler’s answer below:
“I believe in Jesus. Ultimately I think that’s what defines me most.”
The number one golfer in the world, Scottie Scheffler, shares what defines him. pic.twitter.com/LoFnoySJY5
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) April 9, 2024
Scheffler’s answer reflects the humble attitude of a remarkable golfer, who knows what his primary God-given mission is. It’s not to golf and earn millions of dollars to build his own personal empire. Ultimately, it’s to use his talents and abilities to glorify God and show Him to others.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV).
The world may disagree – seeing many of our daily activities as mundane or just part of a J.O.B. – but in fact, glorifying God with our actions is a part of each of our vocations too.
Christians must renew their minds and see our daily lives with an eternal perspective.
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2, ESV).
No matter what your typical day looks like – watching the kids, working an office job, picking up trash, delivering packages – know that you are working for the Lord, not for men.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV).
Good luck to Scottie and all the other golfers competing at The Masters this week.
To learn more about the Christian faith, check out C.S. Lewis’ classic Mere Christianity. You can also listen to Focus on the Family’s award winning Radio Theater: C.S. Lewis at War.
If you want to better understand the Bible and be part of God’s redemptive mission, check out RVL Discipleship: The Study.
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Radio Theatre: C.S. Lewis at War
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