Scottie Scheffler has dramatically pulled out of this week’s Houston Open as his wife Meredith prepares to give birth to their second child.
The Texas native withdrew from the tournament on Tuesday morning, 48 hours before it starts, and was swiftly replaced by PGA Tour veteran Matt Kuchar.
Scheffler and Meredith welcomed their first child, son Bennett, in May 2024 and he has made several appearances at tournaments to celebrate his dominant father’s victories.
The world No. 1 has been runner-up at the Houston Open three times, including the last two years when he made it his final stop before going to the Masters.
Now he risks arriving at Augusta National a little rusty as he bids to win his third green jacket and wrestle the title back from Rory McIlroy.
For a number of weeks in late spring and early summer 2024, the golf world waited with bated breath for Scheffler and Meredith to welcome their first child into the world.
Scottie Scheffler has pulled out of the Houston Open as his wife Meredith prepares to give birth
With just two weeks to go until the Masters, Scheffler risks arriving at Augusta a little rusty
Bennett’s birth came amidst a hot streak for Scheffler, who was winning tournaments left, right, and center. All along, Meredith was seemingly ready at any moment to give birth to their son, Bennett.
She eventually gave birth to Bennett a few weeks after Scheffler’s second victory at the Masters and just before the PGA Championship.
The birth of their first son was yet another major moment for the two high school sweethearts.
The couple survived going to separate colleges (rivals at that, with Scottie going to Texas and Meredith going to Texas A&M) and married in December 2020.
Meredith has been seen all over the PGA Tour – including by Scottie’s side as he continues to win majors, like last year’s PGA Championship and The Open.
Scheffler, who has already won The American Express this season, saw his streak of 18 consecutive finishes in the top 10 – which started at the Houston Open last year – ended at the Genesis Invitational with a tie for 12th.
His last tournament was a tie for 22nd in The Players Championship.
