At the 2026 WM Phoenix Open held at TPC Scottsdale, while Travis Kelce drew much attention at the Pro-Am event, it was Bennett, the young son of professional golfer Scottie Scheffler, who captured the crowd’s affection. Armed with a small plastic club, Bennett was seen enthusiastically hitting shots across the fairways, with caddie Ted Scott even participating by checking yardage and tossing grass to gauge the wind for him. This charming moment quickly went viral, catching the eye of many including the renowned golf broadcaster Jim Nantz.
How Bennett Picked Up Golf from Family Influence
Bennett’s interest in golf traces back to his family, particularly influenced by his cousin Hayes, who is two years older and shares a passion for the sport. Scheffler explained this connection during a CBS interview with Nantz, stating,
“It’s funny; he’s got a cousin, Hayes, who loves to play golf and is two years older than him. He picked it up from him, and he obviously watches me,”
and added,
“It’s hilarious just watching him pick up on the little things that we do. Like, he’ll come watch me hit balls, and all of a sudden, the next day he gets over the ball with this head movement where he starts looking like this because that’s what I do before I hit the shot. It’s been really fun to watch him actually enjoy hitting golf balls.”
Bennett’s initiation into golf was unexpected and playful. It began during a backyard bachelorette party for Scheffler’s sister, where Hayes was hitting golf balls. Bennett, intrigued, took up a club and started swinging it without fully understanding its purpose—sometimes mouthing the club or hitting random objects. Over time, though, he grew more fond of the game, even before knowing what a golf ball was.
Bennett’s Copycat Moves Reflect Dad’s Signature Style
As Bennett’s interest matured, it became evident that he was mirroring some of Scottie Scheffler’s trademark golf habits. One notable example is the distinctive head movement Scheffler makes during his downswing. Instead of keeping his head completely still, Scottie moves it backward away from the ball as he initiates his swing, then allows it to rise and shift toward the target during the follow-through—an approach that aids in rotation and injury prevention. Bennett, in adorably precise fashion, imitates these cues, embodying his father’s technique even at a young age.
The joy Scottie finds in watching his son develop this connection with golf is clear. As shared by the Golf on CBS Twitter account,
“It’s been really fun to watch him actually enjoy hitting golf balls.”
Bennett’s Presence at Major Golf Events
Since his birth in May 2024, Bennett has frequently accompanied his parents, Scottie and Meredith, to golf tournaments. At the 2025 Masters Par 3 Contest, Bennett’s cheerful demeanor and tiny jumpsuit made a memorable impression on fans and photographers alike. Later the same year at The Open, Bennett’s endearing appearance on the greens captured the hearts of spectators while Scottie celebrated his victory by lifting the trophy. More recently, at the 2026 AmEx event in January, Meredith and Bennett were seen joyously celebrating Scottie’s season-opening win.
Prioritizing Family Over Career Pressure
Scottie Scheffler has made his family’s importance abundantly clear, stating that he was willing to skip major tournaments like the Masters when his son’s birth was imminent. He emphasized that if his wife or son required him during a round, he would stop playing immediately. His commitment remains unwavering, as he told reporters,
“If my golf ever started affecting my home life, or if it ever affected the relationship I have with my wife or my son, that’s going to be the last day that I play out here for a living.”
Reflecting on his new role as a father, Scheffler noted how his usual afternoons have changed drastically—from relaxing to a more attentive routine focused on understanding and supporting his young son. Despite these adjustments, he describes fatherhood as “a ton of fun.”
Scottie Scheffler’s Challenging Start at the 2026 WM Phoenix Open
While Bennett was charming fans with his golfing antics, Scottie Scheffler endured a difficult opening round at the WM Phoenix Open. Shooting a 2-over-par 73, he broke a remarkable streak of 33 consecutive rounds at par or better, a run running since June 2025. This performance placed him tied for 81st position after his first day with five bogeys and one double bogey, putting his streak of cuts made on the PGA Tour at risk—the last time he missed a cut was in 2022 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
However, Friday brought redemption as Scheffler fired a flawless 65 with no bogeys, improving his score to 4-under for the tournament. This kept his streak alive, extending it to 66 consecutive events with the cut made, the longest active streak on the PGA Tour. He credited a subtle change in his grip during practice sessions for helping him regain confidence and rhythm after feeling somewhat “lost” on Thursday.
On Saturday, Scheffler continued his push by shooting a 67, reaching 8-under par overall. This moved him to three shots behind tournament leader Hideki Matsuyama heading into the final round. After a cautious start of seven pars, he birdied four holes, including the 8th, 10th, 11th, and 15th, though a late three-putt bogey on the 12th briefly stalled his momentum. Scheffler remained optimistic, telling reporters,
“Barring anything crazy on the back nine, I shouldn’t be out of the tournament.”
The Connection Between Family Support and Competitive Resilience
Scottie Scheffler’s journey at the WM Phoenix Open highlights a story of resilience both on and off the course. While his son Bennett captures unexpected attention by enthusiastically embracing golf at such a young age, Scottie himself demonstrates determination to overcome difficulties, balancing his professional ambitions with his growing role as a father. Bennett’s enthusiastic copying of his dad’s unique golfing style symbolizes not only a budding new generation of golfers but also underscores the deep family bond at the heart of Scheffler’s success.
As Scottie looks ahead, his strong family foundation and ability to adapt during pressure-filled tournaments will be essential in sustaining his career momentum and personal fulfillment. The world will be watching not only his scores but also the charming moments involving Bennett, who is already winning hearts and perhaps beginning a promising golf journey of his own.
"It's been really fun to watch him actually enjoy hitting golf balls."
Scottie Scheffler has loved watching his son, Bennett, swing the golf club. pic.twitter.com/78I2GImFhs
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) February 7, 2026
