"Scottie Scheffler triumphs at Open Championship with commanding four-stroke victory"

Scottie Scheffler Dominates The Open with Commanding Victory

There was never any uncertainty. The question of what Rory McIlroy needed to do to secure a second Open title was swiftly answered: overcome Scottie Scheffler.

Those anticipating a closely fought final round were left disappointed. Scheffler, now a 10-time winner when leading after 54 holes, began with a wayward tee shot, briefly raising hopes. But he responded with a precise iron shot to within inches of the hole. From there, his march to victory was serene. Had organizers chosen, they could have presented him with the Claret Jug by the 5th tee—by then, his lead was seven strokes.

Scheffler doesn’t engage in tense battles for majors. He four-putted the final green at Augusta in 2022 yet still won by three. His 2024 Masters win came by four, the 2025 PGA Championship by five. This time, the margin was four, though it felt far greater. Late on Sunday, it seemed the record 13-shot victory by Old Tom Morris in 1862 might be challenged. Scheffler missed late opportunities, but it made no difference. A closing 68—his highest round of the week—sealed a 17-under total. On the 18th green, surrounded by family, he reinforced that golf, despite his supremacy, does not define him.

Harris English finished a distant second, deserving commendation, but Scheffler’s dominance rendered the contest one-sided. Chris Gotterup, who had not originally qualified for The Open, finished third at 12 under after a recent win in Scotland—a remarkable rise.

Conditions at Portrush were forgiving, limiting costly mistakes. Scheffler opened with three under through five holes. A double bogey at the 8th was offset by a birdie at the 9th. His challengers were left with no hope, the outcome seeming inevitable long before the final putt, reminiscent of Tiger Woods at his peak.

For Wyndham Clark, it was a tumultuous week. Reports emerged that Oakmont Country Club had banned him following an incident involving damaged lockers at the U.S. Open.