'I Would Play A Lot Of The Tournaments If The Purses Were Significantly Less' - Scottie Scheffler Gives Refreshing Response To Money vs Prestige Debate
The World No.1 was discussing potential changes to the PGA Tour season and shared what really drives him to compete


Scottie Scheffler said he would still compete in PGA Tour events even if the purses were "significantly less" when responding to a question on potential changes to tournaments and the overall season format.
Scheffler leads the FedEx Cup standings heading into the Tour Championship after six PGA Tour victories this term and is set to win the $25 million top prize if he can finish on top of the leaderboard at East Lake this week, having begun with a two-stroke headstart.
The World No.1 recently called the FedEx Cup Playoffs format "silly" as a result of the increased points on offer in the final three events and the fact that the golfer in first could finish 30th for the entire season if an injury flares up at East Lake and they are forced to withdraw.
Two weeks on from those comments, Scheffler was posed a question on how responsive he thinks his fellow competitors would be if the PGA Tour and its sponsors wanted to alter the season format or introduce more unique events.
The 28-year-old provided a refreshing answer regarding money versus prestige while also acknowledging that the PGA Tour is a business and it must do what it can to prosper.
"When I'm focused on just competing, I think that's when I play my best." Scottie Scheffler has proven he has the edge needed to be the #FedExCup No. 1. pic.twitter.com/jJh3fUNDvTAugust 27, 2024
Scheffler said: "At the end of the day, in terms of sponsors, I would play a lot of the tournaments I play throughout the year if the purses were significantly less.
"I would pick and choose a bit more, but if it was -- if it's the Masters, I'm going to play the Masters. I want a chance to win a Major championship. I do not care what you pay me for winning the Masters. I really don't.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"But, at the end of the day, in terms of a lot of those tournaments you just want to get paid what you think would be fair. And then in terms of what sponsor wants, if you've got FedEx putting up the kind of money they're putting up for this event, people are going to show up to play.
"It's a business at the end of the day. It's part of the game. This is a product that appeals to a lot of people. Sports is entertainment, but at the end of the day I still stand on the side of the fence that my golf clubs will always be my entertainment. If you want to come watch me play golf, that's what we're going to see.
"I'm not going to go out on the first tee and do dances and celebrate like crazy. I am going to do my best to compete in a golf tournament. Wherever the best players are competing I am showing up to those tournaments because I love the competition. That's really what I enjoy the most."
Scottie Scheffler with the Travelers Championship trophy
Scheffler went on to admit that his frustration is mostly centred around the fact that the FedEx Cup is labelled a "season-long race" but admitted a balance between entertainment and competition has to be struck in order for the PGA Tour to thrive.
The American said that, ultimately, he will still turn up and try to win - no matter the competition or how many cameras are on him.
He continued: "As far as the format goes, golf is a funny game. There's no perfect system in order to play a golf tournament that's the most entertaining product and also the product that gets the best player each time.
The FedEx Cup trophy at East Lake
"A lot of times in golf the guy that plays the best may not even win that week. In terms of little bounces, it's a fickle game. It's a challenging sport. I'm open to suggestions.
"I do still think that 72 holes of stroke play is the best format for a golf tournament, but if a sponsor wants to come in and change it up a little bit, I love competing, and I want to win when we go home and play Wolf for four hours, and I'm giving 20 strokes to a guy.
"I do not want to be giving him money at the end of the day whether it's $5 or $500. I do not want to take out my wallet and hand him money at the end of the day. That's just not in my blood. I want to win, whether we're playing ping-pong or whatever it is. Whatever the format, I'm going to show up and try and do my best. That's really all it is."
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Joaquin Niemann. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and recently reached his Handicap goal of 18 for the first time. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
Valspar Championship Tee Times - Round Four
There’s a three-way tie for the lead ahead of the final round of the Valspar Championship, with Viktor Hovland looking for his first win since 2023
By Mike Hall Published
-
Who Is Jacob Bridgeman's Caddie?
The PGA Tour pro is one of the rising stars of the game, and assisting him in the early years of his pro career has been caddie GW Cable
By Mike Hall Published
-
Valspar Championship Tee Times - Round Four
There’s a three-way tie for the lead ahead of the final round of the Valspar Championship, with Viktor Hovland looking for his first win since 2023
By Mike Hall Published
-
Watch: Sam Ryder Becomes Second Player To Make Ace At 2025 Valspar Championship With Slam Dunk Hole-In-One
The 35-year-old delighted fans with his brilliant effort towards the end of his third round at Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead Course
By Mike Hall Published
-
Adam Hadwin Breaks Sprinkler During Valspar Championship
The Canadian suffered a rather embarrassing moment at the Valspar Championship on Friday, with Hadwin breaking a sprinkler head after striking it with his club
By Matt Cradock Published
-
6 Big Names Playing In The Texas Children’s Houston Open
Some of the biggest names in the game are playing in the Memorial Park Golf Course tournament – here are the details
By Mike Hall Published
-
Valspar Championship Tee Times - Round Three
Jacob Bridgeman leads a number of big names going into the weekend of the Valspar Championship, with the American searching for a maiden PGA Tour title
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'They Can Feel Free To Leave Some Waffle House Gift Cards' - Neal Shipley Makes '12 New Friends' As Final Hole Bogey Moves Valspar Championship Cutline
A late bogey from Shipley meant the cutline moved to two-over-par, thus allowing 12 MORE players to make it into the weekend at the Copperhead Course
By Matt Cradock Published
-
6 Big Names To Miss The Cut At The Valspar Championship
Friday at the Valspar Championship saw some big moves being made by various players, but some big names would also miss the weekend at Innisbrook Resort
By Matt Cradock Published
-
How Much The Winning Caddie Earns At The Valspar Championship
The Valspar Championship is the final event of the Florida Swing and, with an $8.7 million tournament purse, it's not just the players who are playing for big money
By Matt Cradock Published