British Open 2025: Scottie Scheffler wins first Claret Jug
Scheffler, who carried a 4-stroke advantage into the final round, nearly pushed that lead into double digits, with five birdies and one bogey over his last 18 holes.
"It's a pretty special feeling," Scheffler said on the NBC broadcast. "It was a tough week. I battled hard all weekend. Today, again, was a battle. I played some really good golf and I'm fortunate to be holding the trophy."
Scheffler's four-round total of 267 -- 17-under par -- was the third-lowest 72-hole total in British Open history. He led the tournament in several approach statistics, including chances inside 20 feet, chances inside 30 feet and strokes gained. He also finished second in strokes gained through putting.
No. 19 Harris English, who led the tournament in strokes gained through putting, placed second at 13-under. No. 49 Chris Gotterup placed third at 12-under. No. 28 Wyndham Clark, No. 59 Matt Fitzpatrick and No. 111 Haotong Li tied for fourth at 11-under.
With his victory, Scheffler claimed his fourth overall major. He now only needs a U.S. Open title to complete a career grand slam. He took home $3.1 million, in addition to his first Claret Jug, for his efforts in Portrush, Northern Ireland.
"Really, every day is a battle," Scheffler said. "Playing this game, it's a battle within yourself all the time to try to try to get the most out of your game and yourself. This week I did a really good job of kinda hanging in there mentally and played some good golf."
Scheffler, 29, joined Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as the only golfers to win Masters, PGA Championship and British Open crowns before age 30.
"It's hard to put into words," the world No. 1 said.
Scheffler started his day with a birdie on No. 1. He picked up two more strokes with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 4 and 5. Scheffler made his lone bogey on No. 8, but responded with a birdie on No. 9. He made birdie on No. 12. He carded pars on his other eight holes on the back nine.
English holed four birdies, an eagle and a bogey for a final-round 66. Gotterup totaled five birdies and a bogey for a final-round 67. No. 15 Bryson DeChambeau carded the best score of the final round, with a 7-under 64. He tied for 10th in the final major of the season.
Fan favorite Rory McIlroy (No. 2), a Northern Ireland native, tied defending champion Xander Schauffele (No. 3) and No. 14 Robert MacIntyre for seventh.
Scheffler has now finished inside the Top 10 in 11-consecutive tournaments, tying the longest streak of his career. He can tie Vijay Singh's record from 2003-04 with another Top 10 finish in his next tournament.
"He is playing incredible golf," English said. "It's awesome to see. He is setting the standard for professional golf right now."
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Key outs: Nick Townsend (Eastleigh, free), Luke Jephcott (Truro, free), Aaron Wildig (Gloucester, free), Kiban Rai (Aldershot, free), Shane McLoughlin (released), Expectations? It is hard to say after another managerial change and the major player turnover you often get in League Two summers. Dave Hughes, a former Manchester United academy manager, is an intriguing appointment and the Exiles' transfer activity suggests they should at least improve on last season's finish. Strengths? On paper, the squad looks better. Chairman Huw Jenkins and new boss Hughes seem to have put their contacts to good work so far this summer and Newport should flourish if the likes of Matt Smith and Michael Reindorf can hit the ground running. Weaknesses? Newport rolled over too easily at times last season, playing themselves into trouble as former boss Nelson Jardim looked to instil an expansive playing style. They'll need to tighten up and learn how to hold on to leads this time around. Difference-maker? Matt Smith, who has 19 Wales caps and is still only 25, looks like a very shrewd signing who could add quality to Newport's midfield. Notts will 'support and protect' Macari - Paterson Oldham player sorry after chair throwing video 'It's great to be boss of a franchise team' - Warne Notts County Adam Hassell, BBC Radio Nottingham Head coach: Martin Paterson Least season: Sixth (lost in play-off semi-finals) Key ins: Matty Dennis (Carlisle, free), Tom Iorpenda (Huddersfield, loan), Barry Cotter (Barnsley, loan), Ollie Norburn (Blackpool, free) Key outs: David McGoldrick (Barnsley, free), Alex Bass (Peterborough, undisclosed) Expectations? After play-offs defeat in a season Notts will feel they should have got automatically promoted, it's been all change at Meadow Lane. A new head coach in Martin Paterson, and a new 'technical board' being operated by the club to offer stats and data at every opportunity. Will it work? If it does, I think Notts will be a challenger at the top again. If it doesn't, fans might turn and the Magpies could be languishing in mid-table. Strengths? Notts vastly improved defensively last season, going from a side with the worst goals conceded record the previous campaign, to one of the best last time. The foundations are pretty solid, and despite losing Alex Bass - seen by some as League Two's best goalkeeper last season - the signing of Kelle Roos as his replacement is far from shabby. They've added grit to the midfield in Ollie Norburn and Tom Iorpenda, and have significantly upped fitness levels in pre-season, so they should be hard to beat. Weaknesses? Notts lost David McGoldrick in the summer, who was offered a new contract, largely reported as a pay cut, which he rejected to go up a league and join Barnsley. There is still constant speculation surrounding Alassana Jatta, and whether his future is at Meadow Lane. Mai Traore signed in January, but has yet to hit the ground running, and the arrival of Matty Dennis from Carlisle is promising, but Notts still don't have an official number nine in their squad. Difference-maker? Jodi Jones. Keep him fit and he's simply too good for the level. Throughout pre-season, he's been played as a number 10, rather than at wing-back, so hopefully he will have more influence on games and score a hatful of goals. Oldham Athletic Alex Whitington, BBC Radio Manchester Manager: Mickey Mellon Last season: 5th National League (won play-off final) Key ins: Josh Hawkes (Tranmere, free), Ryan Woods (Exeter, free), Kieron Morris (Tranmere, free), Tom Pett (Cheltenham, free) Key outs: James Norwood (Fleetwood, free), Charlie Raglan (Barrow, free), Mark Kitching (York City, free), Joe Pritchard (Rochdale, free) Expectations? Realistic ones… not getting dragged into a relegation scrap. But after the unbelievable play-off drama at Wembley, there will be plenty of Latics fans who may harbour hopes of a cheeky play-off tilt. Strengths? The belief is back at Boundary Park. An owner who bleeds Oldham in Frank Rothwell, assisted by the Royle family, have given the club an intimate, family feel. Latics have brought in EFL experience with Woods and Hawkes to improve the squad. Weaknesses? Hit and miss at times in the National League, Latics' style is attritional so defender Charlie Raglan's departure could leave a big hole. Difference-maker? Mike Fondop. Always Mike Fondop. 18 league goals last season has seen the talisman rewarded with a new two-year contract. Can he cut it in the Football League? Salford City Josh Watton, BBC Radio Manchester Head coach: Karl Robinson Last season: Eighth Key ins: Loick Ayina (Huddersfield, free), Adebola Oluwo (Barnet, free), Kallum Cesay (Wealdstone, undisclosed), Jorge Grant (Hearts, free) Key outs: Curtis Tilt (Bradford, free), Jon Taylor (Radcliffe, free), Matty Lund (released), Conor McAleny (released) Expectations? Promotion will be the obvious target, again. It is hoped an off-season restructure of the ownership group will give new life to the Ammies ahead of their seventh consecutive campaign in League Two. Karl Robinson is taking charge of his second full season. The question is can he be the one to finally steer the club to League One, an ambition that their high-profile owners certainly haven't been shy about. Strengths? Salford have been busy in the transfer window, adding some real depth defensively through the signings of Loick Ayina, Adebola Oluwo and Kallum Cesay. Whilst there was never any real concerns about the defence last season, it looks as though Robinson is planning on building a team that is difficult to beat. That, added with the quality of forwards such as Kelly N'Mai, means Salford are looking to finally achieve that long-awaited promotion. Weaknesses? Having mentioned the transfer window, it hasn't come without difficulties. Curtis Tilt left the club to sign for League One-bound Bradford City. Salford have lost a real leader and it is difficult to see how he has been replaced ahead of the new season. Difference-maker? N'Mai has attracted interest from clubs in a higher division for good reason. It is believed Bolton made a move for the forward early in the window but Salford have kept hold of their man and he will be crucial if they are to challenge for promotion. Shrewsbury Town Nick Southall, BBC Radio Shropshire Head coach: Michael Appleton Last season: 24th League One (relegated) Key ins: Tom Anderson (Doncaster, free), Sam Clucas (Lincoln, free), Will Boyle (Wrexham, free), Elyh Harrison (Manchester United, loan), Anthony Scully (Portsmouth, free) Key outs: Jamal Blackman (released), Dominic Gape (Colchester, free), Jordan Shipley (Port Vale, free) Expectations? Following relegation, the expectation will be to bounce straight back at the first time of asking, but that will be tough. With Shrewsbury still up for sale and no sign of an imminent takeover, stabilising in League Two, with one eye on pushing for a play-off place, may be more realistic. Pundits have predicted another relegation battle, but I don't believe that'll be the case. They have a top head coach in Michael Appleton and recruitment has gone well so far. Strengths? The defence has undergone a big reconstruction with the arrival of the experienced centre-half Tom Anderson, pivotal in helping Doncaster gain promotion from League Two last season. Talented young Manchester United goalkeeper Elyh Harrison was named eight times on the United first-team bench last season and he's tipped as one for the future with the chance to emulate the successful loan spell which former Old Trafford goalkeeper Dean Henderson had at the Meadow back in 2017-18. Weaknesses: A key factor in rebuilding after relegation from League One has been to deal with a "softness" within the squad. Appleton said after a 4-1 loss at Northampton last season that it made his "skin crawl". He has made that a key area to rectify this summer and time will tell if they have got it right. Difference-maker? Tom Anderson brings a wealth of experience and knows what it takes to do well in League Two. Shrewsbury can do something special - Clucas 'Pull of Swindon' brought Bodin back to club Veteran Walsall forward Adomah signs new deal Swindon Town Andrew Hawes, BBC Radio Wiltshire Manager: Ian Holloway Last season: 12th Key ins: Jake Tabor (Amersham Town, undisclosed), James Ball (AFC Wimbledon, free), Billy Bodin (Burton, free), Finley Munroe (Aston Villa, loan), Tom Nichols (Mansfield, free), Darren Oldaker (Chesterfield, free) Key outs: Jack Bycroft (released), George Cox (released), Nnamdi Ofoborh (Barnet, free), Tunmise Sobowale ( undisclosed) Expectations? After being bottom in December, Ian Holloway's side discovered an energy and intensity that had them producing play-off standard form for the second half of the season. With most of the squad retained, the hope is for more of the same without the handicap of a dire start. Strengths? In a league where change is the norm, continuity ought to be an early advantage. The other strength is actual strength. Harry Smith up front embodies a Swindon team that can handle the rough stuff in a way their predecessors could not. Weaknesses? A lack of a Harry Smith-style striker if he is injured or suspended. Relations also remain fractious between fans and owners - can the backing from the club hierarchy match the energy of supporters who have renewed belief in the on-pitch performance? Difference-maker? Jake Tabor. A pre-season trial for the prolific striker from Amersham has become a two-year contract for a raw but pacy forward who could be absolutely anything. Tranmere Rovers Chris Coughlan, BBC Radio Merseyside Manager: Andy Crosby Last season: 20th Key ins: Nathan Smith (Port Vale, free), Charlie Whitaker (Notts County, free), Richard Smallwood (Bradford City, free), Taylan Harris (Luton Loan, loan) Key outs: Regan Hendry (Mansfield Town, free), Kieron Morris and Josh Hawkes (Oldham Athletic, free), Chris Merrie (AFC Fylde, free), Tom Davies (Salisbury, free) Expectations? It is difficult to say given the uncertainty of the situation off the pitch, with a takeover failing to materialise despite plenty of rumours over the past 12 months. Rovers took 23 points from the 13 games Andy Crosby was in charge last season while battling relegation so it will be very interesting to see if they can take that form into the new campaign, albeit with a big turnover in their squad. Strengths? Undoubtedly their defence, having kept six clean sheets in Crosby's 13 games last season, which was half of their total for the whole League Two campaign. The additions of Nathan Smith and Patrick Brough at the back as well as the experienced midfield pair of Richard Smallwood and Jason Lowe certainly indicate that Tranmere will aim to be hard to break down. Weaknesses? Their goal-scoring issues had them in trouble until late on in the campaign last year as they were the fifth lowest scorers in the division. They've also lost several attackers this summer including Morris, Hawkes and the injury-prone Luke Norris so there'll be plenty of pressure on the forward line to get firing if Rovers are to have higher ambitions this term. Difference-maker? Player of the season Omari Patrick will likely be a key figure for Tranmere again after scoring 11 goals and providing four assists last term. Walsall Mike Taylor, BBC Radio WM Head coach: Mat Sadler Last season: Fourth (lost in play-off final) Key ins: Harrison Burke (Chester, undisclosed), Aaron Pressley (Stevenage, undisclosed), Aden Flint (Mansfield), Vincent Harper (Exeter, free), Jonny Stuttle (Bournemouth, loan) Key outs: Taylor Allen (Wycombe, undisclosed), David Okagbue (Peterborough, undisclosed), Oisin McEntee (Hearts, free), Liam Gordon (Port Vale, free), Ryan Stirk (Chesterfield, free) Expectations? "You're hurting and I'm hurting," said the Walsall co-chairman Ben Boycott at a fans' forum recently. He's not kidding. Walsall's collapse last season has left a deep wound, salted by Bradford's last-minute goal that finally denied them promotion, and the subsequent defeat at Wembley. Walsall were running a long way ahead of all predictions for much of last season. It would be unreasonable to imagine they will repeat that, but after backing their coach Mat Sadler so fervently, the club will surely want a strong play-off challenge at the very least. Strengths? The squad is essentially built to the same blueprint that worked so well for two-thirds of last season. They were energetic and ambitious, especially when attacking from wide areas, and appear to have found viable alternatives to replace all the key players that have left this summer. Weaknesses? They have lost several regular starters for this season, including all three of the centre-back line that unexpectedly emerged as the most-favoured selection – David Okagbue and Taylor Allen are trying their luck in League One, while Harry Williams is injured and likely to miss the whole season. For those they left behind, will the collective trauma of their spring collapse linger? Everyone wants to start afresh, but only the players themselves can really know if they have successfully moved on. Difference-maker? Aaron Pressley has been talked up by Sadler, and the awarding of a three-year contract indicates how sure Walsall are that they have found the right man to bring back the goal-scoring edge they lost after January.
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Stones boss hails four-goal Adarkwa
Wealdstone boss Sam Cox says Sean Adarkwa can benefit massively from his four-goal haul in a 6-2 pre-season victory over Queens Park Rangers U21s. The former West Ham academy player opened the scoring with a tidy finish early on, doubled his tally shortly before half-time and completed his hat-trick moments after the restart. Adarkwa grabbed a fourth when finishing well one-on-one with the keeper after capitalising on a defensive error. Cox said: 'I think the boys really appreciate Sean's work, which he brings to the team. "I think strikers are usually judged on the goals they score, but the work Sean does just in build-up - we're often reliant on Sean when we play over into him to hold the ball up. 'He's more than just a goalscorer because he's really important in build-up and in the style we want to play. So, I was over the moon for him, and I gave him a little 'well done' in the changing room and gave him a clap, which was well deserved. 'It's good to see him leaving with a smile on his face and four goals, and hopefully he can take that into the season. If we can keep him fit, I think he'll be a massive part in everything we do if we are successful.' After back-to-back defeats to Charlton Athletic and St Albans City, Cox was looking for a reaction from his players ahead of the club's final game of pre-season against Slough Town before the National League season gets underway just a week later. Cox said: 'I think we've got to treat that like August 9, when we're playing against Truro. I said to the boys before the game 'mentality now and trying to win games of football has to be the priority'. "Along with the performance, of course, it is still pre-season, so we are still getting the physicals into the boys. 'Again, we've upped the minutes for a lot of them. So, we're up to the 90 minutes and the boys are looking strong and fit. We've really been particular in looking after players and their well-being and trying to really prevent injuries this season because we know the last two seasons haven't been good enough in terms of keeping players on the pitch. 'It's probably why we've been in positions we have, so there's even more emphasis this year, and I've made that a priority - that we take care in recovery and injury prevention.' Wealdstone also confirmed the signing of Omar Mussa from National League South club Torquay United. The 24-year-old Belgian, known for his blend of technical skill and physical presence, brings valuable experience from the National League and League One. Having developed in the youth systems of Anderlecht and KV Mechelen, Mussa moved to England in 2019 with Walsall before spells at Dover Athletic, Weymouth and Dagenham & Redbridge. On working under Cox, Mussa told the club website: 'He played a very big part for me coming here because I had other offers, but it's just the way he spoke to me, the plans he has for the team. "The fans will be seeing that very soon. I like his ideas and what he's going to bring forward too.'
