Scottie Scheffler makes first comments following stunning admission

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PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — In his first public comments since a stunning press conference ahead of the Open Championship, the world’s best golfer tried to get the focus back onto his golf game.

“This week I’m trying to play good enough to win the golf tournament. I think I’ve made that pretty clear over the course of my career,” Scheffler said.

The undisputed world No. 1 finished Day 1 at Royal Portrush at three-under par, one shot off the lead held by five players.

Scheffler played nine holes in the rain on Thursday, including the heaviest downpours of the day.

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“Wind is something that obviously makes links golf challenging, but the rain adds a whole new element to it, especially when you’re hitting the tee balls,” he said. “You get a little moisture between the club face and the ball, especially with the longer clubs and the woods, and it can be pretty challenging.”

As for his comments that had the sports world talking, Scheffler didn’t go as far as to say he regretted bringing up the lack of fulfillment he gets from the sport, but made it clear that he might not be as open in the future.

“I try to be as honest as I can with y’all, with the stuff that I’m willing to kind of say. At times I feel like maybe I should be a little less honest. Maybe I shouldn’t have said the stuff I said yesterday because now I’m going to get asked about it more.”

The three-time major champion said he has heard nothing but support from fellow players.

“I’ve had some players come up to me and say that they feel and think the same things. If anybody has disagreed with me, they haven’t said it to my face yet, so I don’t know what the reaction would be. But overall just glad to be out playing golf and competing again.”

Padraig Harrington was one player who had a hard time understanding Scheffler’s point of view, but people have largely been supportive and Canadian Mackenzie Hughes told the Toronto Sun that the comments 100% resonated with him.