Scottie Scheffler paraded around Royal Portrush this afternoon like a seasoned pro, and as has become customary, lifted the trophy on Sunday. It was the 10th consecutive time he has converted a 54-hole lead. At no point today did it ever feel like Scheffler would not finish the deal. He won by four strokes, and for the first time in his major career, shot in the 60s all four rounds.
This was a historic win for the best player in the sport. This major was his second major of the season(2025 PGA Championship) and fourth of his career. It also has him 75% of the way to the elusive Career Grand Slam. He only needs a U.S. Open title to join that exclusive list that features the best golfers in history. How many majors will he end his career with?
How Did Scottie Scheffler Finish the Job?
A double bogey on the 8th hole cut Scheffler’s lead to 4 strokes. He responded by birdieing the 9th hole. A few critical par saves by the American, including at 6, helped him hold off the pack. Bryson DeChambeau tied the lowest round of the tournament with a 64 on Sunday. His hopes to win fell by the wayside following a miserable round on Thursday.
Local hero Rory McIlroy started the day six shots back, and even with the crowd pulling for him, could not summon the magic needed to track down the steady Scheffler. McIlroy shot a 2-under 69. Scheffler knew that he did not need to light the course on fire to win. He needed to play a solid round and see if anyone could catch him. No one was able to track him down on this fateful day across the pond.
Final Thoughts
The dominance exercised by Scheffler has not been seen since the heyday of Tiger Woods. Scheffler is unflappable in the final round and strikes fear into the rest of the field. He is the favorite in every tournament he enters. That is rarefied air. At only 29, the best may be yet to come for the “Champion Golfer of the Year.”
