World No. 1 proudly owns the fart heard ’round the golf world – and proves champions handle pressure differently

During the first round of The Open Championship at Royal Portrush, broadcast microphones captured an unmistakable sound of flatulence as Scottie Scheffler hit his approach shot on the 17th hole. The moment immediately went viral on social media, with millions viewing the clip that showed the world’s top-ranked golfer appearing unbothered by the interruption as he delivered a precise iron shot to within three feet of the pin.

Commentators Andrew Cotter and his broadcast partner struggled to maintain their composure, with Cotter eventually quipping there was “just a little bit of wind from behind” that helped the ball “ease down the green.” The clip garnered millions of views across Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok within hours of the broadcast.

Scheffler Comes Clean

The mystery of who was responsible for the audible gas was solved this week when Scheffler appeared on Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take” podcast. When directly asked about the incident, the four-time major champion didn’t hesitate to take ownership.

“Oh yeah, that was me,” Scheffler said with a laugh. “You’re out there for like six hours. You’re eating some different food over there, some stuff’s gonna happen. You never know when the boom mic’s there; you never know what they’re gonna pick up.”

Scheffler revealed he was initially unaware the moment had been captured on broadcast until fellow PGA Tour player Xander Schauffele showed him the viral video. “I literally didn’t think anything about it, and after we got inside, Xander was showing me the video,” he explained.

A Moment of Humanization

The incident has been largely celebrated by golf fans as a rare humanizing moment for professional golfers, who are often viewed as untouchable athletes. Social media reactions were overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting that the moment made Scheffler more relatable and likeable.

The timing proved fortuitous for Scheffler, who went on to win his first Open Championship by six strokes, completing the third leg of the career grand slam. His composed reaction to the embarrassing moment – continuing his shot routine without visible distraction – demonstrated the mental fortitude that has kept him atop the world rankings for over two years.

Professional Golfers Face Unique Challenges

Golf’s lengthy format presents unique physiological challenges, with players spending up to six hours on course during tournament rounds. Unlike other sports with regular breaks, golfers must manage all bodily functions while maintaining focus and performance under intense scrutiny from cameras and microphones positioned throughout the course.

The incident highlights the comprehensive broadcast coverage of modern professional golf, where advanced audio equipment can pick up conversations, club impacts, and apparently, unintended bodily functions. Scheffler noted his surprise that similar incidents haven’t been captured more frequently given the extensive microphone coverage at tournaments.