Scheffler Dominates the Open: Next King of Golf? Ryder Cup in Play

Scottie Scheffler: Absolute Domination at the Open Championship

The last major of the season, the Open Championship, came to an end with Scottie Scheffler at the top, consolidating his position with his second major of the year. With the FedEx Cup playoffs, the Tour Championship and the Ryder Cup on the horizon, the excitement in the golf world continues. What’s next for Scheffler? Who were the surprises and disappointments at the Open? Below, we analyze the key questions that arose at Royal Portrush and what the rest of the season holds.

Scheffler’s Rise: A New Domination?

Scheffler’s performance has been so consistent that some are already comparing him to the golden age of Tiger Woods. Two-time major champion Xander Schauffele commented on Scheffler’s incredible consistency: “It’s hard to believe that someone can be so dominant in such a short time. He’s a tough man to beat.” At 29 years old, Scheffler is positioned as the third youngest player to reach 15 victories on the PGA Tour and four majors, surpassed only by Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. He is the fourth golfer to win the Masters, the PGA Championship and The Open before turning 30, an achievement that places him in an elite of golf. With his precision in hitting and improvement in the short game, Scheffler is likely to continue adding victories. The possibility of him completing the Grand Slam at next year’s U.S. Open seems increasingly real.

“I don’t feel any different for having won a golf tournament. It’s not the only thing for me, but I’m very grateful for it,” Scheffler stated. “I don’t think it’s special just because some weeks I’m better than others at achieving a low score.”

Scottie Scheffler

Scheffler’s consistency on the field suggests that he will continue to add victories, both in Memphis, at the Tour Championship, at the Ryder Cup, and in the major championships of next season. His status as a favorite will be accentuated, and he is likely to continue expanding his record of wins and championships.

Other Highlights at The Open

Although Scheffler dominated the tournament, Rory McIlroy had a memorable week. After missing the cut at the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, McIlroy shone in his homeland.

Despite finishing seven strokes behind Scheffler, McIlroy put on an impressive show. His round of 66 strokes on the third day gave him hope of catching Scheffler. McIlroy commented on the fans’ support: “It’s been an incredible week. I’ve achieved everything I wanted, apart from the Claret Jug.”

Harris English also deserves recognition. He has finished second in two major championships this year, only surpassed by Scheffler. English is playing great golf, and his results have positioned him in the top ten of the world ranking.

Disappointments at Royal Portrush

Three of the most well-known stars of the LIV Golf League, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed, and Cameron Smith, failed to shine at Royal Portrush. Koepka, who had shown glimpses at the U.S. Open, missed the cut at the Masters, the PGA Championship, and The Open. Smith, winner of the 2022 Open Championship, has not achieved significant results since then, and was the only golfer who missed the cut in all four majors this season. Patrick Cantlay, whose major record lacks victories, missed the cut at Portrush, adding three consecutive missed cuts in major championships this year.

Players to Watch

Xander Schauffele, who recovered from a rib injury, has shown good performance. Keegan Bradley, captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup team, will be watching his performance. Chris Gotterup has become a surprise, with a third-place finish at The Open. He is currently among the top 40 in the world rankings and has climbed positions in the Ryder Cup ranking.

Gotterup commented on his unexpected success: “I didn’t expect to play so well. I don’t know what’s going on here, but maybe my European blood has come alive.” Gotterup’s performance in the coming weeks will be crucial to solidify his position as a potential Ryder Cup team member and as a prominent player on the Tour.

Reflections on the Ryder Cup

Scheffler is already qualified for the American team, and the following five golfers in the points standings, Schauffele, J.J. Spaun, Russell Henley, Bryson DeChambeau and English, are also likely to be part of the team. The top six in the points standings after the BMW Championship will automatically qualify, and Bradley will make six captain’s picks. Bradley has commented that DeChambeau is a key player for the team. Justin Thomas and Morikawa, who are ranked in the top eight, are also considered veterans. Other players like Ben Griffin, Maverick McNealy, and Brian Harman are also in contention. Regarding the European team, Matt Fitzpatrick has shown an improvement in his performance. Robert MacIntyre, who was a captain’s pick in the last Ryder Cup, is also in a good position. The Hojgaard twins, Nicolai and Rasmus, could be considered to be part of the team.