Scottie Scheffler confirms New Zealand PGA Tour plans amid family focus

Scottie Scheffler has doubled down on his dream to play in New Zealand one day: but not anytime soon. The world No. 1 made the admission in a press conference after tying for fourth at The Open Championship on Sunday, 21 July 2026 at Royal Birkdale, where New Zealand’s Ryan Fox claimed the Claret Jug.

**## Why Scheffler wants to tee it up in New Zealand**

Scheffler’s interest in New Zealand runs deep. He pointed to the country’s cinematic landscapes: “Just the views from ‘Lord of the Rings’ pretty much,” he quipped: before explaining the personal pull. “I’ve always desired to make it to that part of the world,” he said. “Growing up, I played with a lot of guys from Australia and New Zealand. The Kiwis were always tremendous people.”

He framed the trip as a family getaway, not just a golf stop. “It seems like a great kind of place for me to go with Mer or our family,” he added. “Maybe one day, but it’s a heck of a long way away from where we live.”

**## What’s holding Scheffler back**

Scheffler isn’t ruling out future travel: he just can’t swing it now. “The United States is a hub for sports,” he said, comparing its global reach to the NBA and NFL. But with a young family, international trips aren’t simple. “I definitely have a desire to travel the world and play golf,” he said, “but with a two-year-old, it’s not easy to make that happen.”

Logistics top his list of concerns. “Coming over here for a few weeks with the time change and a two-year-old can be exciting,” he said. “We have a structured season now. It can be challenging to make it across the world to play.”

**## Where Scheffler’s game stands right now**

The world No. 1 isn’t hiding his putting woes. “Scheffler’s putting throughout the week has not been that good,” he admitted. Though he salvaged some key putts on Sunday, his overall stroke on the greens remains inconsistent. His approach play, however, is firing on all cylinders.

**## Scheffler’s next move**

Scheffler skips the 3M Open this week: he last played it in Minnesota two years ago. After a two-week break, he’ll return to the FedEx Cup playoffs. This week, he headlines the field at TPC Twin Cities, ready to chase points after his fourth-place finish at The Open.