Scottie Scheffler’s dominance at the top of the golfing world continues after winning The Open on Sunday.
Scheffler finished 17-under-par at Royal Portrush, four shots clear of fellow American Harris English – but in truth the margin of victory was a lot larger than that. Chris Gotterup completed an American 1-2-3 by finishing third, five shots back of Scheffler.
Starting Sunday four shots clear of Harris, his lead in Northern Ireland at one point expanded to seven over the field – as he
It’s the 29-year-old’s second major of the year after winning the US PGA Championship in May – and his fourth of his career.
‘I know I wasn’t the fan favourite so I appreciate you guys coming out to support,’ said Scheffler, referring to world No 2 and Masters champion Rory McIlroy – who finished playing in his homeland.
‘Overall it was a really fun week to be able to play in front of such a great crowd.’
He is also only the fourth player, after Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Woods, to win the Masters, US PGA and The Open before he turns 30.
Scottie Scheffler dismisses ‘silly’ Tiger Woods comparisons
Scheffler is is three-quarters of the way towards a career Grand Slam – which he can complete at next year’s US Open in the same four-year time-frame as Nicklaus. Only 15-time major winner Woods has done it quicker, in three years.
He is 111 under par in majors since the beginning of 2020, 46 shots better than anyone else, and is four from four when it comes to converting 54-hole major leads (Woods won his first 14) and has been world No 1 for 112 consecutive weeks.
‘I still think they’re a bit silly,’ Scheffler said of the Woods comparison. ‘Tiger won, what, 15 majors? This is my fourth. I just got one-fourth of the way there.
‘I think Tiger stands alone in the game of golf. He was inspirational for me growing up. He was a very, very talented guy, and he was a special person to be able to be as good as he was at the game of golf.
‘I don’t focus on that kind of stuff. That’s not what motivates me. I’m not motivated by winning championships. I don’t look at the beginning of the year and just say “Hey, I want to win X amount of tournaments, I want to win whatever it is”.
‘I have dreams and aspirations that I think about, but at the end of the day I feel like what motivates me is just getting out and getting to live out my dream.
‘I get to play professional golf, and I feel like I’m called to do it to the best of my ability.
‘I don’t place much emphasis on things that I can accomplish. It’s just mostly about putting in the proper work and coming out here and competing.
‘I’ve always done my best when I’m able to live in the present.’
