In the world of professional golf, deep reflections are rare, but recently, the sport has taken a surprisingly introspective turn.

After winning the Masters and achieving a career Grand Slam in April, Rory McIlroy has been openly wrestling with the profound questions that many athletes typically shy away from.

"I climbed my Everest in April," McIlroy said. "After achieving something like that, you've got to make your way back down and find another mountain to climb." His return to the UK for the Genesis Scottish Open and this week's Open Championship has seemingly reignited his passion for the game.

However, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler took this introspection to a new level during his press conference at Royal Portrush.

Scheffler, while acknowledging that golf is his beloved job, emphasized his priorities lie with family and faith. When prompted about his most crushing loss, he shared a candid perspective on the fleeting nature of success.

"I worked my whole life to celebrate winning a tournament for just a few minutes," Scheffler explained, recalling his recent victory at the Byron Nelson, where he triumphed by eight strokes. "You celebrate, hug your family, and then it’s like, what’s for dinner? Life goes on."

This unusually reflective side of Scheffler reveals that despite his success—16 wins on the PGA Tour—he struggles with finding fulfillment in his achievements. "Why do I want to win this tournament so badly?" he confessed, highlighting an internal conflict that he faces daily.

He also pointed out that reaching the pinnacle of the sport often leaves players questioning their motivations. "There are a lot of people who achieve what they believed would fulfill them, and once they get there, they ask, what's the point?"

McIlroy expressed similar sentiments this week, comparing professional golf to a "hamster wheel," where the chase for trophies never truly ends.

While the pressure of continually competing and the inevitable losses can weigh heavily on players, it's particularly striking that the top two names in the game are grappling with such existential challenges. For them, the pursuit of accolades transforms from a joyous aspiration into a heavy burden.