The magnificent Augusta National Golf Course just finished hosting the world’s greatest players in the most popular tournament on tour. The winner, Scottie Scheffler, lived up to the great pre-tournament expectations put on him as a number 1 golfer and a man of faith.

There had been a lot made of Scheffler’s comment to Focus on the Family: “I golf to glorify God. I believe in Jesus, that’s what defines me.” He got emotional while discussing that he loves to win on the golf course but at the end of the day, he celebrates that God has given him this platform. Scheffler dedicates his efforts in golf to Christ, as all the faithful should in whatever work we do. It just happens that he has millions of people watch him work!

On the morning of the last round of the Masters he admitted to friends he was very nervous and he wished he wasn’t. He told media that his friends and family gave him words that resonated with him: “They said that my victory is secure on the cross.”

Like tennis player Coco Gauff (2023 U.S. Open champion) and Kansas City Chiefs Harrison Butker (2024 Superbowl championship kicker), Scheffler immediately praised and gave thanks to God. These players all emphasize that their relationship with Jesus is not about victories but about being given this platform for his glory. Scheffler for his part also showed great perspective when he said if his pregnant wife Meredith went into labour during the Masters he would leave immediately to be with her. He feels golf is not his only identity, it is just what he does for a living.

There have been several golfers of note over the years who have spoken of their Catholic faith including Jordan Spieth, Chip Beck, Rory McIlroy, and the legendary Bobby Jones. Devout Catholic Spieth, who is a past Masters champion, often speaks of his inspiration being his younger sister Ellie who has autism and helps him keep things in perspective. He is a humble gentleman who is greatly respected by his peers for his sportsmanship.

Spieth was once deemed a “golden boy” but he disliked the name because, he said, “I wasn’t raised that way.” When he was once asked to comment on his humility, he declined to answer, stating that any comment would not be humble at all.

Chip Beck, who once shot a round of 59, has been a big supporter of the Catholicism Series, Word on Fire, and his friend Bishop Robert Barron, saying: “I believe Bishop Barron is the only living saint that I have met.” He believes attacks on the Catholic Church today have occurred before and that we need to trust God through difficult times.

Robert (Bobby) Jones Jr, who played professionally through the 1920’s to 1930, won every major golf tournament multiple times except for the Masters (the course that he founded and helped design, ironically). He converted to Catholicism not long before his death. It was reported his faith played a major part in helping him deal with excruciating pain and paralysis near the end of his life.

His grandson, Robert Jones IV, is a priest who stated, “part of the way that he was able to bear his illness was a direct result of his faith.” One of the last things he said before closing his eyes for the final time was, “If this is what it is like to die it is beautiful.”

All champions in faith have recognized that their talent comes from God and they show him gratitude. There are no truly self-made men. Faith-filled athletes understand and give thanks that God has provided the garden, even while they have worked extremely hard to cultivate it.

St. Augustine said, “God made us without our cooperation but he will not save us without our cooperation.” In whatever work you do, take what God has given you and grow it for his kingdom like Scottie Scheffler.