Scheffler Four Clear at Open as McIlroy Charges into Contention
Scottie Scheffler tightened his grip on The Open Championship, delivering a masterclass in precision and composure to surge four shots clear of the field heading into Sunday’s final round at Royal Portrush. Meanwhile, a resurgent Rory McIlroy ignited the home crowd with an electrifying charge up the leaderboard, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to golf’s oldest major.
Scheffler Dominates with Flawless Golf
The world number one extended his remarkable streak of converting 54-hole leads, carding a bogey-free 67 to reach 14 under par. His round, highlighted by an eagle and two birdies, showcased the kind of relentless consistency that has defined his recent dominance.
Scheffler’s performance was clinical rather than flashy—he made 13 pars, capitalizing on key moments to widen his advantage. A 15-foot birdie on the treacherous 16th, aptly named Calamity Corner, sealed his commanding position.
Major championships demand patience, Scheffler said afterward. Birdies don’t come easily, so you have to stay disciplined. That’s what I focused on today.
With victory on Sunday, Scheffler would secure the third leg of the career Grand Slam, adding The Open to his US PGA Championship triumph in May and two Masters titles. He would join golf’s elite—Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods—as the only players to win three different majors before turning 30.
McIlroy Ignites Crowd with Stunning Charge
While Scheffler methodically pulled ahead, the roars around Royal Portrush belonged to Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman, playing in front of an adoring home crowd, electrified the atmosphere with a blistering start—three birdies in his first four holes, including a 30-foot putt on the opening green that sent waves of euphoria through the grandstands.
Rory! Rory! chants echoed across the dunes as McIlroy trimmed Scheffler’s lead to four. A jaw-dropping 56-foot eagle putt on the 12th reignited belief among his legion of fans, but momentum stalled with missed opportunities and a lone bogey on the 11th.
McIlroy’s 66 left him at eight under, six shots back, but with his trademark fighting spirit intact. If I can get off to another fast start, anything’s possible, he said. But Scottie’s playing incredible golf. He doesn’t give anything away.
The Chasing Pack Struggles to Keep Pace
England’s Matt Fitzpatrick and Tyrrell Hatton made spirited pushes, each reaching nine under at various points. Fitzpatrick eagled the par-five seventh but faltered late, while Hatton’s flawless run ended with a bogey on the 16th.
China’s Li Haotong emerged as Scheffler’s nearest challenger at 10 under, despite a costly bogey on the 18th. His steady play earned him a spot in Sunday’s final pairing alongside the world number one.
Final Round Outlook
History heavily favors Scheffler—he’s never lost when leading after 54 holes, let alone in a major. McIlroy, meanwhile, will need an extraordinary finish and perhaps some uncharacteristic stumbles from the leader to lift the Claret Jug on home soil.
Still, The Open is known for its drama, and with unpredictable winds and pressure mounting, nothing is guaranteed. Scheffler’s rivals will cling to hope, but as McIlroy conceded, It’s going to take something special to catch him.
For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Scheffler—a player who keeps rewriting the script of his era, one flawless round at a time.
