-
Mark Schlabach, ESPN Senior Writer
Every PGA Tour member eligible to play in next week’s Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina, has committed to compete in the signature event with a $20 million purse except one – world No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler.
Scheffler, who has won four of his past five starts, including The Players and Masters, wasn’t included in the Wells Fargo Championship field released by the PGA Tour on Friday.
Scheffler and his wife, Meredith, are awaiting the birth of their first child.
During last month’s Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Scheffler was repeatedly asked about whether he would leave if his wife went into labor. After winning his second green jacket in three years with a 4-stroke victory over Ludvig Åberg, Scheffler acknowledged that his life was about to change.
“I will go home, soak in this victory tonight,” Scheffler said. “I will definitely enjoy the birth of my first child. But with that being said, I still love competing. My priorities will change here very soon. My son or daughter will now be the main priority, along with my wife, so golf will now be probably fourth in line.
“But I still love competing. I don’t plan on taking my eye off the ball anytime soon, that’s for sure.”
Scheffler also won in his last start at the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, on April 22.
Scheffler might not make his next start until the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 16-19. He tied for second, 2 strokes behind winner Brooks Koepka, in the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York.