Scheffler Dominates the Open Championship: The Beginning of an Era?
The last major of the season, the Open Championship, has concluded with Scottie Scheffler at the top, solidifying his dominance in the world of golf. With this victory, Scheffler adds his second major of the year, making it clear that his name is synonymous with success in the sport. But, what’s next for Scheffler? Who were the other winners and disappointments of the tournament? We analyze the most important questions that arise after the championship at Royal Portrush and looking ahead to the rest of the season.
Legend: Scottie Scheffler has four majors in his career.
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With 29 years old, Scheffler is the third youngest player to reach 15 victories on the PGA Tour and four majors, surpassed only by Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. Furthermore, he joins a select group of golfers who have won the Masters, the PGA Championship, and the Open before turning 30. His game, combined with his improvement in putting, suggests that he could double, or even surpass, his four major victories. Scheffler, after his victory, was grateful, but focused on the process, demonstrating that continuous improvement is his main motivation. His consistency in the game and his ability to maintain performance at the top make him a clear favorite in every tournament, which will allow him to continue adding victories and important titles.I don’t think the golf world expected to see someone as dominant as Tiger so soon, and here’s Scottie taking the throne of dominance.
Xander Schauffele
Other Highlights from the Open Championship
Although Scheffler was the undisputed star, Rory McIlroy also had an outstanding week. After missing the cut at the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, McIlroy achieved a tie for seventh place, showing a great performance in his homeland. Harris English also deserves recognition for his performance, achieving second place in two majors this year, only surpassed by Scheffler. His consistency has led him to be among the top ten in the world ranking.Disappointments at Royal Portrush
Some of LIV Golf’s most recognized golfers, such as Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed, and Cameron Smith, failed to stand out in the tournament. Koepka, who had shown flashes at the U.S. Open, did not make the cut at the Masters, the PGA Championship, and the Open. Smith, champion of the Open Championship in 2022, also did not perform well, missing the cut in all four majors of the season. Patrick Cantlay, with a lackluster record in the majors, failed to make the cut at Royal Portrush, adding up to three consecutive missed cuts in the major championships this year.Players to Watch
Xander Schauffele, after recovering from an injury, has shown good form, demonstrating his worth in the most important tournaments of the season. Chris Gotterup, with his third place in the Open Championship, has burst onto the golf scene, positioning himself among the top 40 in the world and increasing his chances of participating in the Ryder Cup.
Legend: Chris Gotterup, in third place at the Open Championship.
