Scottie Scheffler stood confidently on the 18th fairway, eyes locked on the green ahead. But as he waited for the group ahead to clear, a dark, ominous cloud rolled in behind the grandstands. Just one hole earlier, the sun was shining, and a rainbow framed the sky. Now, the skies had turned grim—classic Northern Ireland unpredictability at the Open Championship.
“When we were teeing off, every weather forecast told a different story,” Scheffler said. “It was bright and warm on the range, I was in short sleeves. Then suddenly, boom—it’s dark, it’s raining, and I’m wondering how long this is going to last.”
Rain, wind, sun—it didn’t matter. Scheffler stayed locked in. He birdied the first hole in pouring rain, setting the tone for what would become another signature performance. By the end of the day, the world’s No. 1 golfer had casually dropped eight birdies, drained 132 feet of putts, and carded an effortless 64, taking the 36-hole lead at 10-under.
“I hit more fairways today,” Scheffler said, calmly summing up a round that left competitors shaking their heads. “Some good iron shots, made a few putts.”
That calm, grounded demeanor has become a trademark of Scheffler’s rise. But the clearest signs of his dominance come not from his own words—but from the reactions of those trying to catch him.
Asked about his position after playing alongside Scheffler, Shane Lowry chuckled, “Eight shots behind Scottie Scheffler? That’s not really in contention the way he’s playing.”
Even Rory McIlroy, sitting five shots back earlier in the day, couldn’t help but acknowledge the gap. Because against Scheffler, every deficit feels heavier—especially now that he’s not only excelling at his greatest strength (No. 1 in strokes gained: approach) but has also become a beast on the greens (No. 2 in strokes gained: putting).
“He’s doing Tiger-like stuff,” said Matt Fitzpatrick, who will be paired with Scheffler in Saturday’s final group. When asked about the thrill of being in contention, Fitzpatrick grinned, “It must be fantastic for Scottie.”
But this is The Open Championship, where nothing ever comes easy. This tournament has a way of humbling even the best. The courses aren’t just about distance—they’re about strategy, creativity, and adapting to conditions that can flip on a dime. The bunkers are brutal, the lies are deceiving, and the winds? Pure chaos.
Brian Harman, the 2023 champion, proved that you don’t need power to conquer links golf. At just 5-foot-7 and driving around 275 yards, Harman won by keeping the ball in play and thinking his way around the course.
“I feel really comfortable here,” Harman said. “You can play a bunch of different clubs off the tee. It’s not just about bombing it—it’s about being smart and creative.”
That same logic is playing out again this year. The leaderboard is a blend of styles and stories: Rory McIlroy and 52-year-old Lee Westwood are both just outside the top 10. One can’t find a fairway, the other’s been finding all of them despite shorter drives.
We’ve got a DP World Tour journeyman in Haotong Li at 8-under. We’ve got rising stars like Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard—both inside the top 10. There’s Tyrrell Hatton, fresh off a U.S. Open run, and Tony Finau, trying to end a two-year PGA Tour drought. And then there’s Fitzpatrick, the man most likely to stop Scheffler.
“I felt like every part of my game clicked today,” said Fitzpatrick, the 2023 U.S. Open champ.
Yes, ball-striking is key at Royal Portrush, as players like Robert MacIntyre and Harris English have shown. But don’t crown Scheffler just yet. The course is a trap. Trouble hides everywhere—pot bunkers, unforgiving rough, and winds that can turn a perfect swing into a double bogey. Even Scheffler had to guess what kind of weather would greet him on every tee.
No one expected Harman to win last year. The same surprises could be in store again.
“I think the pressure’s on him to win,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’m not feeling that same weight. He’s got the expectation to go out there and dominate.”
And he’s right. The biggest threat to Scheffler may not be Fitzpatrick, McIlroy, or Li. It may be the course itself. Historically, the Open Championship has been Scheffler’s weakest major, and by its nature, the hardest to close out.
Still, if he does pull it off, the Tiger comparisons will only grow louder. The last man to win The Open after leading through 36 holes? Tiger Woods, in 2006—when he was also World No. 1, and just as unstoppable.
“We’ll see what the weekend brings,” Fitzpatrick said. “There’s still a hell of a long way to go.”
Description:
"Scottie Scheffler takes a commanding lead at The Open Championship, battling rain, wind, and fierce competition. With a flawless 64 and Tiger-like composure, is Scheffler the unstoppable force golf has been waiting for? Here's why the Claret Jug might already have his name on it."