Fatherhood and family — which are often portrayed negatively in popular culture — received a rare moment of glory this week, thanks to Nike’s heartwarming ad celebrating pro golfer Scottie Scheffler’s recent win at The Open Championship in Northern Ireland.

Posted on X, the ad featured two photos of Scheffler.

The first showed the world’s top-ranked golfer playing with his one-year-old son Bennett on the green, with the caption, “You’ve already won.”

The second image captured Scheffler mid-swing, paired with the words, “But another major never hurt.”

Nike’s Pro-Dad Ad of Scottie Scheffler’s Baby Son

Scheffler, 29, claimed The Open with a commanding four-stroke lead, adding to his remarkable run of four major championship victories since 2022.

Nike’s ad was a nod to the surprising remarks Scheffler made at a pre-Open press conference, where he spoke about prioritising marriage and fatherhood over his career in sport.

“Why do I want to win the Open Championship so badly? I don’t know,” Scheffler told reporters during that interview.

“Because if I win, it’s going to be awesome for about two minutes and then we’re going to get to the next week and [I’ll be asked] ‘How important is it for you to win the FedEx Cup playoffs?’ And it’s just like we’re back here again.”

“We really do work so hard for such little moments,” he reflected.

“I love being able to play this game for a living. It’s one of the greatest joys of my life. But does it fill the deepest wants and desires of my heart? Absolutely not.”

“That’s why I talk about family being my priority because it really is,” Scheffler declared.

“I’m blessed to be able to come out here and play golf, but if my golf ever started affecting my home life or it ever affected the relationship I have with my wife or with my son, that’s going to be the last day that I play out here for a living.”

Scheffler then captured the heart of his values:

“[Golf] is not the be-all, end-all. This is not the most important thing in my life. And that’s why I wrestle with ‘Why is this so important to me?’ Because I would much rather be a great father than I would be a great golfer.”

 

Scheffler’s Fulfilment Comes from Making Family His Priority

Both Scheffler’s comments and the Nike ad received widespread praise one social media.

Commentator Anna Lulis observed that “culture is shifting”.

“Nike just released a pro-family ad, highlighting Scottie Scheffler’s baby son as a ‘win’,” she added.

“Children aren’t burdens—they’re blessings.”

Pro-life advocate Lila Rose also called the ad “pro-family” and praised the refreshing focus on family as “more meaningful than any championship”.

“We need more of this,” she affirmed.

Another large pro-life account wrote, “Nike and Scottie Scheffler gave us more than a sports ad. They gave us a glimpse of what matters most in life.”

Many others noted that the Nike ad was all the more significant given the lesser causes promoted by the multibillion-dollar corporation over recent years — from unhealthy lifestyles to transgenderism to identity politics, and more.

Either way, the message sent by both Nike and Scottie Scheffler is one that deserves full-throated praise.

In an era when Western culture is actively downplaying the value of traditional family roles — fatherhood especially — it’s powerful when big names affirm that success isn’t measured in trophies, titles or endorsements, but the love of those closest to us.

In this rare celebration of family, we’ve been reminded that real greatness starts at home — and that when fatherhood is lifted high, the whole culture wins.

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Image courtesy of Nike/X.

About the Author: Kurt Mahlburg

Kurt Mahlburg is Canberra Declaration's Research and Features Editor. He hosts his own blog at Cross + Culture and is also a contributor at the Spectator Australia, MercatorNet, Caldron Pool and The Good Sauce. Kurt is also a published author. His book Cross and Culture: Can Jesus Save the West? provides a rigorous analysis of the modern malaise in Western society and how Jesus provides the answer to the challenges before us. Kurt has a particular interest in speaking the truths of Jesus into the public square in a way that makes sense to a secular culture and that gives Christians courage to do the same. Kurt has also studied architecture, has lived for two years in remote South-East Asia, and among his other interests are philosophy, history, surf, the outdoors, and travel. He is married to Angie.

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