The Open 2025: Scottie Scheffler dominates Portrush to move one step closer to Grand Slam
The American was in a league of his own as he cruised to another major title.
Scottie Scheffler moved to one major away from completing the Grand Slam after cruising home to win the 2025 Open.
Scheffler effectively secured his first Open Championship title less than an hour after beginning his final round on Sunday afternoon, such was his dominance.
By the time he walked off the fourth green at Royal Portrush, the world No.1 had already tightened his grip on the Claret Jug.
Starting the day with a four-shot lead, Scheffler quickly extended it to seven under the Northern Irish sun.
A third birdie on the fifth hole only strengthened his control over the field, leaving just one real question – could he surpass Tiger Woods’ modern-era record of an eight-shot Open win, set at St Andrews in 2000?
While he didn’t reach that mark, a composed round of 68 was enough to seal victory at 17 under par, finishing four strokes ahead of fellow American Harris English, who shot a 66.
Chris Gotterup, fresh off his surprise win at the Scottish Open, followed one shot further back after a 67.
Champion Golfer of the Year. pic.twitter.com/oXijPBYOli
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2025
England’s Matt Fitzpatrick stayed in the mix all week and birdied two of his final three holes to finish tied for fourth on 11 under with Wyndham Clark, who carded a 65.
Rory McIlroy received a hero’s welcome on the 18th green, drawing a rapturous reception from the home crowd. He closed with a par to join Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre and defending champion Xander Schauffele at 10 under par.
But this week belonged to Scheffler, now crowned Champion Golfer of the Year. With his recent dominance, the parallels to Tiger Woods continue to grow louder.
One stat in particular stands out – exactly 1,197 days passed between Woods’ first and fourth major victories (from the 1997 Masters to the 2000 Open). The same number of days separate Scheffler’s first major win at the 2022 Masters and his fourth, here at the 2025 Open.
This marks Scheffler’s second major title of the year following his US PGA Championship win in May, and his fourth overall, adding to his two Masters.
Only the US Open now eludes him in his pursuit of the career Grand Slam – a feat achieved by just six players in history, including McIlroy, who secured his with a Masters win earlier in the year.
His triumph on the Antrim coast is also his second title outside the United States, following last year’s Olympic gold in Paris.
Remarkably, this win comes just days after Scheffler reflected on the emotional toll of life on tour, calling professional golf “not a fulfilling life” and openly questioning “the point” of chasing wins so intensely. Yet here he is again – on top of the world.