Former journeyman pro Steve Wheatcroft recently opened up about his struggles with alcoholism and depression after retiring from the PGA Tour. Wheatcroft, who spent 14 seasons split between the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, decided to walk away from competitive golf in 2019 and transitioned to a different career. Despite initial success in his professional golf career, a moment of disappointment led him down a path of self-destructive behavior.
He shared, “That drink is where part of me died. That drink is where I gave up on life. That drink introduced me to a new best friend.” Wheatcroft admitted to living in a constant state of intoxication for two years, hiding his struggles from the outside world while battling self-hatred and confusion about his identity.
His social media post titled “Until I couldn’t” aims to shed light on his journey and inspire others in similar situations. Wheatcroft emphasized the importance of addressing mental health issues and reaching out for help before it’s too late. He encouraged readers to spend time building resilience and not ignore their emotional well-being.
Several fellow Tour pros, including Sean Micheel and Parker McLachlin, expressed support for Wheatcroft’s openness. Micheel acknowledged the universal struggles faced by professional golfers and praised Wheatcroft’s courage in sharing his story. McLachlin highlighted the commonality of dealing with personal demons and expressed relief that Wheatcroft is now in a better place.
In response to Wheatcroft’s public disclosure, Billy Horschel commended his bravery and dedication to sobriety. Horschel recognized the importance of destigmatizing vulnerability and applauded Wheatcroft for his efforts to help others by sharing his experiences.
Not everyone is comfortable with sharing their weakness’s in public and that’s ok. But Wheatie is hoping by doing so he is able to help more people while continuing on his path of sobriety. Congrats Wheatie. 👊👊 https://t.co/jUYSGZvBMd
— Billy Horschel (@BillyHo_Golf) September 3, 2024
