Scottie Scheffler is taking an anti-Rory McIlroy approach to the career Grand Slam

With a win at the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Scottie Scheffler would become just the seventh player in golf history to complete the career Grand Slam. As monumental as that opportunity is for Scheffler's legacy, it's not affecting how he's approaching the week. 

"For me, would it be a dream to win the U.S. Open? Of course. But at the end of the day, the Grand Slam has never been a motivating factor for me," Scheffler told reporters on Tuesday, per ESPN. "I always just wanted to be the best version of myself, and that got me this far."

If you've been following Scheffler's career over the past few seasons, this mindset won't come as a surprise. This is the same man who admitted last year that being a professional golfer is "not a fulfilling life" and winning is only "awesome for two minutes."

Scheffler always dreamed of winning major championships and worked harder than anyone around him to get where he is today. When he reached the top of the mountain, though, it wasn't as gratifying as he had envisioned. He imagines the same will be true if (or most likely, when) he captures the career Grand Slam. 

"It's kind of a funny thing," Scheffler said ahead of the U.S. Open. "It's like, yeah, if I win this tournament, that would be amazing. But I think then I show up the next week, and it's like, 'OK, now Scottie's won the Grand Slam, he's won all these golf tournaments. Now, where do we go from here?'

"So no matter what, I think as a player and as a professional athlete, you're never going to live up to the expectations of people. ... I think the goalposts are always just moved further and further."

Scottie Scheffler doesn't see this as a make-or-break U.S. Open