Scottie Scheffler has firmly cemented his place in golf history, producing a masterclass of composure and dominance to win his first Open Championship at Royal Portrush. The world number one finished 17-under-par, four shots clear of Harris English, and looked virtually untouchable throughout a sun-soaked final round on the Northern Irish links.
With a four-shot lead heading into Sunday, Scheffler wasted no time in extending it. Three birdies in his first five holes gave him a seven-stroke cushion before many fans had even found their seats. By the fifth green, the only real question was whether Scheffler might threaten Tiger Woods’ modern major-winning record margin of eight shots. A rare double bogey on the 8th—the first sign of vulnerability in over 30 holes—briefly cut the lead to four, but he responded immediately with a birdie and coasted home with a composed 68.
While McIlroy, the local favourite, gave the crowd moments to savour, his two-under 69 wasn’t enough to mount a serious challenge. He finished at 10-under, alongside Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre and defending champion Xander Schauffele.
Chris Gotterup continued his breakthrough year with a T3 finish at 12-under, while Matt Fitzpatrick provided some late European hope, finishing tied fourth with a strong closing stretch. Other notables included Bryson DeChambeau (-9), Justin Rose and Tyrrell Hatton (-7), and Ludvig Åberg (-6).
This win marks Scheffler’s fourth major title—and second of 2025—putting him in elite company. Only Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods have won the Masters, PGA, and The Open before turning 30. Now only the U.S. Open eludes him for a career Grand Slam, with his next chance coming just before his 30th birthday.
Scheffler’s calm, calculated brilliance has drawn inevitable comparisons to Woods—and after Portrush, that chatter will only grow louder.
My Goat Sports 