One of the reasons I really enjoyed coaching golf was that the game had a way of revealing character. Even in a competitive situation, golf gives you incredible insight into a person’s character—especially when it comes to honesty and integrity.
When you’re trying to teach young people about those things, the lessons are often right there in front of you.
They’re also on display when adults compete at the highest level. I was reminded of that this past weekend while watching the final day of the Presidents Cup.
I was really into this competition—not just because of the golf, but because I really enjoy the match-play format.
For those who aren’t familiar with match play, the goal is simple: win the hole. You don’t necessarily need the lowest score overall; you just need a better score than your opponent on that particular hole. Win the hole, and you get a point.
There’s also a unique part of match play called a concession.
If your opponent has a short putt that you’re confident they would make, you can concede the putt and allow them to pick it up rather than requiring them to finish.
That’s where the story gets interesting.
Scottie Scheffler, the No. 1 player in the world, was playing Nico Echavarria in the final holes of his singles match.
Scheffler was in control, leading 3 up with five holes to play.
On the 14th hole, a fan yelled, “Go Scottie!” during Echavarria’s backswing. Scheffler immediately confronted the fan.
“There’s no place for that,” he said.
But the real display of character came a few minutes later on the green.
Scheffler had missed his birdie putt, while Echavarria was facing a roughly 30-foot putt for par—one that would have been difficult to make. Scheffler could have simply allowed him to putt it and potentially won the hole.
Instead, he conceded the putt.
The hole was tied, and the match continued.
They tied the 15th. Then, on the 16th, Echavarria holed a spectacular chip for birdie, suddenly making the match a little more interesting.
People began to wonder: What if he comes back and wins?
But on the 17th, Scheffler closed out the match and secured a point for the U.S. team.
In the middle of a highly competitive final day of match-play golf—with the United States fighting its way back in an incredible Presidents Cup comeback—Scheffler still did what he believed was the right thing.
And I think that’s why the moment stood out to me.
Doing the right thing when it costs you something is not always easy.
But sometimes character is revealed in those moments when nobody is making you do the right thing. You simply choose to do it because you know it’s the right thing to do.
That’s one of the things I love about golf. The game has a way of putting character, honesty and integrity on display.
And it’s a good reminder for all of us:
Just do the right thing.
