SCHEFFLER PLAYS DOWN WOODS COMPARISON AFTER OPEN WIN
American Scottie Scheffler speaks to the media alongside the Claret Jug after winning The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, (Photo: Stuart Franklin/R&A via Getty Images)
Monday 21 July, 2025
By Paul Gallagher
Although the final round of The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush was one of the most anticlimactic in golf’s oldest Major, it didn’t stop some comparing the Champion Golfer Scottie Scheffler to a certain Tiger Woods.
Scheffler of course was quick to dismiss this comparison after receiving the Claret Jug to secure his fourth Major since 2022 and the third leg of a hallowed Grand Slam pursuit with only the US Open to go if the American is to reach legendary status within the game.
Not that Scheffler will be looking for any of these trappings after he caused something of a stir in his press conference at the start of The Open week when he said things like “this is not a fulfilling life for me” or “what is the point, why do I want to win this tournament so bad” before adding “that is something I wrestle with on a daily basis”.
They were comments made on the Tuesday, and pretty much since then they became the talking point of the for the rest of week, despite the typical hype surrounding the oldest Major of them all.
And if Scheffler was playing down the role that a world number one or multiple Major champion might feel obliged to play - especially as a role model for the next generation - there were no such problems with Rory McIlroy and his energy levels.
This was McIlroy’s homecoming, the first real chance to celebrate with ‘his people’ back in Northern Ireland after completing the career grand slam in April, when he finally donned the Green Jacket at The Masters.
No question about it, McIlroy was like the pied piper in Portrush, the energy that followed him fed both the player himself and the swollen galleries that trampled fairways and craned their necks for the merest of glimpse of their great one. The atmosphere around McIlroy for the week was simply electric, such a stark contrast to the non-smiling, non-emotion of the eventual Champion Golfer, who unquestionably was in a class of his own for the week. But it wouldn’t have hurt to smile and acknowledge the crowds some or even don your cap when making that historic walk up the 18th.
In his defence, Scheffler did try to clarify his position after winning, and perhaps could have got his point across better.
“We live in a day and age where clickbait is what people look for and you can shorten a five-minute clip into three words. I think it underestimates what I was trying to communicate,” said Scheffler.
“I’ve worked my entire life to become good at this game and play for a living. It’s one of the great joys of my life and to win The Open is a feeling that’s hard to describe. Am I grateful for it? Do I enjoy it? Oh, my gosh, yes, this is a cool feeling. But having success in life is not what fulfils the deepest desires of your heart.”
“Just because you win a golf tournament doesn’t make you happy, but I’m pretty excited to celebrate this one!”
Scheffler took a four-shot lead into the final round at Portrush and from there no one could lay a glove on the world number one, especially when he picked up three birdies in his opening five holes. He eventually signed for a final round three-under 68 for a winning total of 17-under, four ahead of compatriot Harris English (66) and Chris Gotterup (67) in third (-12).
The Woods’ comparison came when observing how Scheffler has won four Majors in the same time it took Woods while extending his world number one run to 149 weeks, the longest since Woods’s run at the top from 2005 to 2010.
However, Scheffler was having little of the comparison. “Tiger won, what, 15 Majors? This is my fourth. I just got one-fourth of the way there, I think he 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.”
McIlroy started the day six back and it was always going to require something miraculous if he had designs on managing the unthinkable. McIlroy gave it his all but eventually settled for tied seventh on 10-under after a closing 69.
“I got everything I wanted out of [this week] except the Claret Jug,” said an emotional McIlroy. “I feel so thankful and luck I get to go this in front of this crowd. It was nice to have a chance out there.
FAN FAVOURITE AT THE 153rd OPEN
Rory McIlroy finished tied seventh at Royal Portrush (Photo: Getty/RA)
Shane Lowry enjoyed a strong sign-off six years after winning The Open at Portrush in 2019. The Offaly man closed with a final round 66 for ties 40th on two-under. Tom McKibbin, Darren Clarke and Pádraig Harrington all missed the cut.
While Scheffler acknowledged he “wasn’t their favourite” in front of the Northern Ireland crowds, there is no denying the quality of his workmanship and craft. Scheffler is more than a worthy champion, he is the game’s dominant player, and has taken another step along the road to Grand Slam greatness.
Scottie Scheffler of the United States speaks to the media during a press conference alongside the Claret Jug following victory on Day Four of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 20, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
A general view as Scottie Scheffler of the United States celebrates victory on the 18th green on Day Four of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 20, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Cameron Smith/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland tees off on the 12th hole during Day Four of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 20, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)