PGA Tour superstar Scottie Scheffler's entourage was notably larger at Wednesday's Par 3 tournament ahead of this week's Masters at Augusta National. Just twelve days after his wife Meredith gave birth to their second son, Remy, both mother and child joined Scheffler at Augusta alongside the couple's firstborn, Bennett.
A Family Affair at Augusta
It was difficult to determine which of the children garnered more attention during Wednesday's family-friendly Par 3 Contest. Remy was carried by Meredith in a baby wrap while Bennett entertained spectators by knocking a ball around with a blue toy club. Bennett was born just before the PGA Championship in 2024, an event that proved tumultuous for Scheffler at Valhalla. He was arrested before the second round for failing to follow police instructions, though felony charges and three misdemeanors were subsequently dropped. Remarkably, he returned from jail in time to shoot 66 that day, ultimately finishing tied for eighth.
Creating Memories at the Masters
Despite his sons' tender ages, Scheffler is already forging numerous memories with both children at Augusta, regardless of whether they comprehend the significance. "[Meredith] captured this wonderful photograph of me and Bennett walking into the clubhouse with me wearing my green jacket and holding his hand. However, he has absolutely no idea what it represents," Scheffler remarked. "This venue holds immense meaning for me throughout my golfing journey, and that's something I aspire to share with my children. We'll observe how that unfolds as they mature. Presently, if I'm wearing it near him, I'm simply hoping he doesn't damage it or anything similar."
Returning to Competition After Paternity Leave
Scheffler's obstacles this week are anticipated to be confined to the course. He aims to become the first player since Adam Scott in 2013 to triumph at Augusta National following a three-week hiatus. Scheffler is the favorite in this week's tournament, a status he frequently holds for major championships nowadays, yet his family life has recently been more exhilarating than his golf. The Scheffler who dominated the 2025 season, securing six victories within a four-and-a-half-month period, has not yet materialized this year.
It appeared business as usual when Scheffler clinched his first tournament of the year at The American Express in January. He subsequently delivered strong performances for top-five finishes at Phoenix and Pebble Beach, but since then, he has placed outside the top ten in three consecutive events, and outside the top twenty in the last two of those. A slump by his exceptional standards? It's challenging to label it as such because Scheffler has not competed at all since The Players Championship in the middle of last month. He withdrew from the Houston Open in anticipation of Remy's arrival on March 27.
Rest and Preparation
The term "rested" is seldom employed by parents of newborns, but being away from the course might leave Scheffler rejuvenated. "I'm obtaining ample sleep. My wife is a trooper," Scheffler stated. "Remy is so young currently, they sleep for much of the day. I believe he's accustomed to being in the womb at this stage. Yes, I've managed to get a reasonable amount of sleep."
If there has been an issue for Scheffler this year, it has been his starts. In his previous five tournaments, he has played the first round in a combined three over par while shooting fifty-six under par for the remainder. Naturally, all that may seem like ancient history to Scheffler after he has been otherwise engaged in recent weeks. A major like the Masters does not provide much opportunity to gradually return to competition mode, but it does possess its advantages.
Augusta's Unique Atmosphere
"Augusta continually exceeds expectations to make things special and straightforward for us as players. Particularly the practice rounds," Scheffler explained. "The practice rounds are exceptionally peaceful. There are no phones. There are no individuals requesting selfies during the round. It's extremely calm out there, and people adhere to the regulations here."
Tournament Outlook and Odds
Scheffler will compete with Robert MacIntyre and Gary Woodland during the first two rounds. He was a 6-1 favorite according to BetMGM Sportsbook on Wednesday morning. This is comparable to his +550 odds before the previous major, the British Open in July, which he won, but not as short as the +275 price on him leading up to last year's U.S. Open.
"My game feels like it's in a favorable position," Scheffler concluded. "I obtained some rest the last few weeks at home. So I feel rested and prepared to compete this week."
