Pundits blast the world number one for skipping international events, sparking a heated debate over whether global travel is a requirement for true legendary status in golf.
This weekend's BMW PGA Championship in England features stars like Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm while the PGA TOUR attention switches to FedExCup Fall with other players fighting for their TOUR card lives.
A good time will be had by all ... except for the idiotic grumps who are miffed that the greatest golfer on the planet isn't there.
Dallas native Scottie Scheffler isn't playing in Europe this week, and we find that decision to be easy to understand; among other reasons, he has next week's Presidents Cup to prepare for.
But Scheffler's critics - yes, against all logic and against all odds, Scottie has critics - insists that he's doing the sport a disservice by not playing more often overseas.
Writes Golf Monthly's Nick Bonfield: "One thing he absolutely should be criticised for ... is the fact he’s seemingly allergic to leaving America for more than a fortnight each year.
"The World No. 1 should be a global ambassador for the game and he falls well short in this department. ... Is Scheffler a great golfer? Yes. Is he a great of the game? Given his reluctance to promote golf internationally, I don’t think he can be classed as such.''
The magazine goes on to take a series of odd potshots at Scheffler, such as ...
"He’s not the swashbuckling, charismatic entertainer many would like him to be.''
Guys, what are we doing here?
Scheffler has played outside of the U.S. twice this season. The Scottish Open was his first international appearance as he prepared for the following week's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
There is no doubt it would be better for the sport, on an international level, if Scheffler did decide to play internationally more often in order to "play ambassador.''
Scheffler himself has spoken about whether he plans to play outside of the U.S. more often in the future.
"It definitely interests me,'' he recently said. "I'd like to see how it shapes out the next couple of years. There's a lot of places I think I'd like to play.''
You'll note, though, that this wasn't about an ambassadorship; the travel idea is about competition and adventure and one more thing that is a driving force to Scheffler.
"There's always just, you know, the time and the place for me,'' he said. "I'm at a time in my life where I have a young family at home and young kids.
"Those are times - the fall is a special time for our family. It's where we can really check out and be together, and I get to spend a lot of time with my kids.
"So I hold those moments pretty sacred.''
Golf Monthly is choosing to ignore that all-important commitment while chastising Scheffler for not embracing what a website thinks is all-important.
Writes the site: "When you reach such heights, you have to acknowledge some things are bigger than you. Being World No.1 comes with certain inferred responsibilities. ...
"You should make an effort to promote the game globally and give back to a sport that’s provided you with so much.''
Scheffler, at age 30, has plenty of time in his future to accept the role of "World Custodian of Golf'' (a title we'll choose in order to play along with the outlet's position).
But he's also in the midst of a fantastic run while making choice that fit his game and his lifestyle.
Why would be upset his personal apple cart to appease his critics, who in this case have the nerve to label his choice as "inexcusable''?
Writes Bonfield: "I just don’t understand why he won’t leave his bubble. Getting out of your comfort zone and playing in different conditions on different styles of courses with different types of grasses can only make you a better golfer.''
I, on the other hand, do fully understand why Scheffler makes the choices he does. Further, I can say as a long-time sportswriter, that the last guys Scottie Scheffler needs to take career advice from are ... sportswriters.
