US golfer Scottie Scheffler with the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland on Sunday. Image courtesy theopen.com.
By Rahul Banerji
Scottie Scheffler coasted to his first Open Championship win at Northern Ireland’s Portrush by a dominant four-stroke margin on Sunday,
“Thanks to the fans for all the support. I know I wasn’t the favourite today so I appreciate you guys coming out. Overall it’s been a great week,” the world number one said.
Scheffler was well clear of countryman Harris English at the finish for the third win in a row by a US golfer at The Open and the fourth in five years.
The Texan follows Collin Morikawa, Brian Harman and Xander Schauffele as American claimants of the Claret Jug.
Scheffler (68-64-67-68) totalled 17 under par 267, keeping a comfortable cushion from the field through the day.
English (67-70-68-66, 13 under 271) was second ahead of fellow-American Chris Gotterup (72-65-68-67, 12 under 272).
Keeping pace
Only LIV Golf star Bryson DeChambeau paced Scheffler on Sunday with a 7 under 64 after an opening 7 over par 78 on Thursday had put paid to his chances.
The two-time US Open started from too far behind over the final 18 holes to make a difference, taking a share of tenth place on the leaderboard.
“I knew at college he was going to be a good player, but not this good. He’s setting a benchmark we all want to get to,” fellow Texan DeChambeau said later.
“Scottie’s in a league of his own right now. He’s incredible. He really is.
“I don’t think we thought the golfing world would see someone as dominant as Tiger come through so soon, and here’s Scottie sort of taking that throne.”
Scheffler saw is overnight lead of four shots balloon to seven with two early birdies as his closest chasers including China’s Haotong Li, and Matt Fitzpatrick faltered.
Lone blip
A double-bogey on the front nine was the only blot on Scheffler’s card as he kept up the on his pursuers.
The 29-year-old sealed the win with a tap-ip for par on the 18th hole for his second major title of the year and a fourth overall.
Local favourite Rory McIlroy started six shots behind Scheffler but failed to challenge the leader before finishing tied for seventh place on 10 under 274 alongside defending champion Schauffele and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre.
“I wish I had been closer to Scottie going into today and been able to make a real push,” teh Grand Slam winner said later.
“But he’s been on a different level all week and he’s been on a different level for the last two years to the rest of us.”
Scheffler now needs the US Open to complete a career Grand Slam and on Sunday became the first world number one to win the Open since Tiger Woods in 2006.
Dominant display
The result means Scheffler is the first in the modern era to win his first four majors by three or more strokes after the 2022 Masters (won by 3), 2024 Masters (won by 4), and the 2025 PGA Championship (won by 5).
Scheffler’s 267 was his personal-best 72-hole score in a major championship against the 270 at the 2020 PGA Championship where he tied for fourth place.
US golfer Wyndham Clark shared fourth place on 11 under 273 with Fitzpatrick and Li on a crowded leaderboard behind the runaway winner.
Also read: Scheffler builds healthy lead headed into final day of 153rd Open
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Have often wondered, do you stay up to watch the tournaments live? Excellent reportage!
Thank you. Watching quality golf, or any sport for that matter, is an engagement best experienced, which every fan/enthusiast understands.