The world's best golfer, Scottie Scheffler, didn't get where he is now because his parents pushed him. He got there because they actually didn't.

Scheffler opened up on Golf on CBS Tuesday night, answering a question about what advice he'd give to young golfers and also to their parents. What came out wasn't a training tip or a practice drill.

Asked directly what he'd tell parents of young athletes, Scheffler pointed straight to his own upbringing.

"My parents never pushed me to be something in golf," Scheffler said. "They never wanted me to be anything other than the best version of myself."

The 29-year-old world No. 1 and four-time major champion credited his parents, Scott and Diane Scheffler, for building a home around attitude and character, not scorecards.

"There were more important things for them than my golf game," Scheffler said. "It wasn't always about golf with them."

That extended to how they guided him day to day.

"They did a really good job of guiding me along and helping me when I needed help," Scheffler said. "But not pushing me to be anything other than a good student and a good person."

One habit from his mother stuck with him the most.

"My mom always did one thing that was interesting," Scheffler said. "She never asked me what I shot. She said, 'If you want me to know what you shot, you'll tell me. I don't have to ask you what you shot.'"

Scheffler said he plans to carry that same mindset forward. He and his wife, Meredith, are raising their two young sons, Bennett and Remy, with that same low-pressure approach.

He heads into this week's PGA Championship at Aronimink as the clear favorite with oddsmakers, looking to defend the Wanamaker Trophy.

Scheffler Recalls Pivotal Moment With His Father

Speaking to reporters ahead of Aronimink, Scheffler recalled a junior tournament story involving his father.

By his own recollection, Scheffler was around 12 when his dad dropped him off at an AJGA qualifier with one condition: qualify, but don't play in the tournament.

Scheffler won the qualifier, talked his way into the event, finished fifth, and earned a full exemption.

"He's probably not going to be happy with me telling this story," Scheffler said.

His father came around. Scheffler now arrives at Aronimink as the favorite to lift the Wanamaker Trophy for the second straight year.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham