
Scottie Scheffler claims Open Championship with majestic four-shot win
Anybody hoping for a keenly contested Open Sunday was to be sorely disappointed. Make that 10 times Scheffler has held a 54-hole lead and 10 times he has converted.
Scheffler tugged his opening tee shot into the rough, triggering some sharp intakes of breath. The new champion's next act was to fire an iron to within a foot of the cup. Scheffler enjoyed a sun‑kissed procession on the Dunluce Links. Had the R&A been so minded, it could have broken with tradition and handed over the Claret Jug on the 5th tee. By that point, he was seven strokes clear.
Scheffler does not bother with major jousting. Direct combat? No thanks. He four-putted the 72nd green at Augusta National in 2022 and still won by three. The 2024 Masters was claimed by four, the 2025 US PGA Championship by five.
This triumph was by a quartet of shots when in reality it felt like so much more. Late on Sunday afternoon, the Old Tom Morris record from 1862 – he saw off a distraught Willie Park by 13 shots at Prestwick – appeared to be under threat. Scheffler missed back-nine chance after back-nine chance when it barely mattered.
A 68, Scheffler's joint-highest score of the competition, meant 17 under par as an aggregate. His family surrounded him on the 18th green, in the latest reminder that the world No 1 does not particularly prioritise golf.
His understated brilliance and shunning of the spotlight is intriguing. Scheffler recognises he is excellent at golf but he is unwilling to be defined by that.
The record books will show Harris English finished second and he is due high praise. It is just that Scheffler's imperious frontrunning distorted the tournament. English never had any prospect of winning. Chris Gotterup was not in the Open when arriving in North Berwick for its Scottish equivalent. Gotterup duly won there last Sunday and reached 12 under par to secure third in Northern Ireland. What a wonderful sporting fairytale.
Scheffler does not need help. He received some courtesy of the fact this was another benign Portrush occasion. With that, the capacity for huge errors was limited. Scoring was noticeably low across the field. Scheffler played his first five in three under. He whacked a bunker shot at the 8th into the face of the sand trap; a double bogey there was partly repaired with a straightforward birdie at the 9th. Those beneath him were scaling an ice wall in slippers. The R&A's engraver could get to work long before Scheffler reached his 72nd hole. There was an inevitability about the outcome which could only raise parallels with peak Tiger Woods.
Sign up to The Recap
The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action
after newsletter promotion
What a weird week for Wyndham Clark. It began with Oakmont Country Club informing members that Clark had been banned from the premises after he inflicted grievous bodily harm on some lockers at the US Open last month. Presumably others were ducking for cover as Clark shot a 76 on Thursday. His response, however, was admirable; Clark signed off with a 65 for 11 under and a fourth‑placed finish. He had Matt Fitzpatrick and Li Haotong for scoreboard company.
Li made a fourth‑round 70 as Scheffler's partner. 'I asked if there is any time I can practise with him on the PGA Tour,' Li said. 'He said yes. I said: 'When I text you, you better reply to me.' He goes: 'Haotong who?''
Clark does sound genuinely remorseful about events at Oakmont. If he has a lingering gripe, it relates to his sanction from the club entering the public domain. 'We were hoping it was going to be private,' Clark said. 'I did something awful and I'm really sorry for it. Hopefully they have it in their heart to forgive me and maybe in the future I'll be able to play there.'
Rory McIlroy had reached 10 under before a double bogey at the 10th. It seems incredible to think that his next round in a major will be the start of his Masters defence in April. The esteem he was held in by vast galleries over four competitive days in Portrush really was quite the sight and sound.
McIlroy's focus will now turn towards the Ryder Cup and hopes of a rare European win on American soil. He shared seventh in Northern Ireland with Xander Schauffele and Bob MacIntyre. 'None of us could live with what Scottie had this week,' McIlroy said. 'But for me to be in front of everyone here at home and to get that reception up the last, absolutely incredible. I'll remember that for a long time.'
Bryson DeChambeau blasted through the field to post a 64 and a nine-under aggregate. DeChambeau opened this major with a 78 and ended up finishing tied 10th. Insert joke about LIV golfers and 54-hole tournaments. Sergio García broke his driver on the 2nd hole in a fit of pique, rendering a 68 somewhat decent. He was asked post-round for his thoughts on the Ryder Cup in September, an event in which he is at present about as likely to feature as the aforementioned Old Tom.
Scheffler will be there, having swept up half the year's major crowns. Next year's US Open – which concludes on Scheffler's 30th birthday – will feature him attempting to complete a career grand slam. We are firmly in the midst of one of the greatest golfing careers of all time.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Independent
5 minutes ago
- The Independent
Liverpool secure signing of sought-after French forward
Liverpool have completed the signing of French forward Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial fee of £69m, potentially rising to £79m. The 23-year-old has signed a six-year contract at Anfield after successfully passing his medical. Liverpool secured Ekitike despite late interest from Manchester United and a rejected £70m bid from Newcastle United. The club views Ekitike as a multi-functional forward with the potential to become one of the world's best, comparing his talent to Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé. This transfer marks Liverpool's fourth major summer signing, bringing their total spending to £250m, with potential add-ons increasing it to £300m.


The Guardian
6 minutes ago
- The Guardian
‘It's like clapping for the NHS': Lionesses' decision to stop taking the knee triggers debate
It has been the most visible symbol of antiracism in sport since athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists in the 1968 Olympics. Taking the knee was adopted by UK football teams in 2020, after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, having been popularised by Colin Kaepernick and his teammate Eric Reid during a 2016 American football game. But amid debate about its effectiveness in 2025, critics of the gesture may have got their wish. After defender Jess Carter revealed racist social media abuse, England's lionesses said they would not take the knee before the Italy fixture, saying football needed 'to find another way to tackle racism', as colleagues and matchgoing fans rallied around her. Meanwhile it's understood the Premier League is planning to talk to club captains about whether to continue with it next season. Piara Powar, executive director of multinational anti-discrimination organisation Fare, has insisted taking the knee remains a 'powerful antiracist act'. But in a Times radio interview this week, the UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, said the time for taking the knee 'has probably passed'. In Lambeth, south London, a historic centre of Black British life, community organiser Ros Griffiths argues the symbol has been stripped of value, because of the persistence of racial inequality and the lack of 'an inclusive national conversation' on British identity in a diverse country. Griffiths said Black sportspeople in the UK find themselves 'part of the in-group when they were winning, and part of the out-group when they're not'. She said: '(Taking the knee is) a bit like clapping for the NHS, it's just symbolic. For me, it's not about taking a knee and putting your fist up in the air. It's about being committed to dismantling systemic racism. 'In my opinion, things have got worse since George Floyd. Look at the race riots last year. And then I think of Diane Abbott being suspended for nothing else other than having an opinion based on her own lived experience of racism. Is that what we're doing in 2025, really? 'This country has benefited from diversity but still doesn't embrace it. What does it mean to be a British citizen? We've not had that conversation, and it has to start with the education system, so people understand the values and the benefits and it's not about the in-group pushing out the out-group, or the out-group trying to push out the in-group. We don't want any more gestures – we're tired of that.' The football anti-discrimination organisation Kick It Out's last incident report found in the 23/24 season, racism remained the most reported form of discrimination, with an 'alarming 47% rise in racist abuse across all levels of the game', and the number of social media racism reports almost tripling. Taking the knee has been questioned by Black sporting figures. In September 2020 coach and pundit Les Ferdinand said 'taking the knee had been powerful … (but) the message has been lost. Months later, then-Crystal Palace forward said he was 'proud to be black, no matter what' but found the gesture 'degrading'. He added: 'Unless action is going to happen I don't want to hear about it.' On the right, Nigel Farage reportedly reacted to the Lioness's decision with predictable glee this week, having previously claimed the knee 'could not be separated from the Marxist BLM political movement'. In 2021 Tory Dominic Raab said it was 'a symbol of subjugation and subordination', before saying BLM protesters had his 'full respect'. While the frequency of Premier League teams taking the knee has reduced with time, it was typically met with more applause than boos at fixtures, as a gesture of respect, solidarity, antiracism and progress within a sport that had been marred by ugly racism towards players and fans in the 1970s and 80s, with supporters including former England manager Gareth Southgate and the Professional Footballers' Association. The FA says it's working with police and social media companies, adding in a statement: 'We are very concerned about the rise in online abuse and discrimination.' The prime minister, Keir Starmer, whose government is developing a social cohesion project, said he stood with players who had suffered racism. The Labour party has said it cannot comment on Diane Abbott's suspension.


BBC News
21 minutes ago
- BBC News
Follow live as Rashford is unveiled as Barcelona player
Update: Date: 18:53 BST Title: Goodbye Content: That's the end of the Marcus Rashford news conference and thus the end of this live text. Bye. Update: Date: 18:52 BST Title: 'I want to experience everything' Content: On settling in at club: "I know myself one of my best skills is to adapt and change to circumstances on the pitch, especially in games I don't have any fears about this. In time it will be a good match. "Myself and the manager are eager to make it happen as soon as possible, to feel comfortable and show my skills in this team. I hope it happens straight away but sometimes it is not as simple as that. I also want to get a better understanding of the club, the fans and the culture I want to experience everything, not just on the pitch." Update: Date: 18:49 BST Title: 'It's a team that's happy' Content: "It's a team that's happy. When a team is happy it's good to go into that envionment. "The club is about people putting smiles on the Barcelona fans. It's a historic football club known for playing beautiful football. It's about playing with pride to protect the badge and playing with freedom to excite the fans and win matches. "It's an easy dressing room to be relaxed and a very ambitious dressing room." Update: Date: 18:48 BST Title: 'They are known for winning the biggest prizes' Content: On challenging for the Champions League: "It is what the club was fighting for last year and they were very close and I hope they can take the next step this year. This is a historic club and they are known for winning the biggest prizes. I am here to help the club do that. It is a dream of mine for sure." Update: Date: 18:47 BST Title: 'These are things that excite me - the unknown' Content: On whether La Liga is better than the Premier League: "I don't know yet because I haven't played. From playing against Spanish teams it's a very technical league. Everyone plays well with the ball. "These are things that excite me - the unknown. Not 100% sure of what I'll be facing but I'm ready to face it. On the journey I'm going to enjoy it." Update: Date: 18:46 BST Title: 'Yamal is a very special talent' Content: On Lamine Yamal: "He is a very special talent and for me I feel definitely last season is one of the leading players in the world, if not the best. "Everyone wants to play with the best and there is a lot of talent in this squad. I am happy and eager to play with them on the pitch, Maybe I can help then and for sure they can help me. It is going to be exciting." Update: Date: 18:45 BST Title: 'It's more important to win' Content: On trying to better Gary Lineker's goal record at Barcelona: "I hope so. It's not easy for players to come to such a big club and perform. I'm ready. I'm going to accept these challenges I will face. "I will enjoy it. I'm here to show myself, my quality. It will be good for me to score lots of goals and be the highest scoring British player for Barcelona but it's more important to win." Update: Date: 18:45 BST Title: ' I am not going to regret my decision' Content: "We had [other] options but in the end I have to make a decision and in my mind I never changed it. It is difficult to not be disrespectful [to other clubs] and I don't mean to, but I had to make a decision. I would have waited longer if I had to. Regardless of what happens this season I am not going to regret my decision." Update: Date: 18:43 BST Title: 'I feel we've been in communication for a while now' Content: "I feel we've been in communication for a while now. it was something I was hoping to get done. The manager is a huge part of why I'm here. If the manager doesn't want it doesn't happen. "From the conversations I've had with everyone at the club, they fill me with confidence. I don't have any negative thoughts. I'm excited. I'm ready for whatever challenges may come. I'm going to enjoy the ups and downs. The main thing is to sacrifice to win. " Update: Date: 18:41 BST Title: 'Maybe this is the right time' Content: "I know from the conversations with the president and manager and [sporting director] Deco, they were happy to get the deal done. Sometimes as a player you know when it is the right time and the right fit. I am a believer that things happen when they should and maybe this is the right time. I am ready to give my all and that is the best you can do." Update: Date: 18:40 BST Title: 'The manager has done a great job with the team' Content: "A lot of the players have impressed me. There are a lot of young players but they play football so mature. "But in the dressing room they're still kids. It's good. It's very encouraging. The manager has done a great job with the team, especially last season to do what he did with such a young team is impressive. "Last season is forgotten about [at Barca]. They are focused on improving. The determination is very high. "It's a perfect fit for where I am in my career." Update: Date: 18:39 BST Title: 'I am in a good place' Content: "Right now I am in a good place. I am happy and healthy. I am eager to get going. "I'm happy to be here, I'm ready to be here and I'm eager to get going and experience this club. Living in a different country, a different league with different teams. These are things I am not afraid of." Update: Date: 18:37 BST Title: 'Here to add to this history' Content: "It's a traditional number [14] for the club. It's a unique club. Everything about the club is special. To wear this shirt is an honour. I'm ready to do my best for the club. "For me it's about winning. All my life, growing up, watching Barcelona games, the club is about winning. It's about enjoyment and expressing yourself. The club is built on winning. I'm here to try to add to this history." Update: Date: 18:36 BST Title: 'I have nothing bad to say about United' Content: "The situation with United is the club is in a period of change and they have been for a while. I don't have anything bad to say as it has been an important part not just of my career but my life. So I was grateful for the opportunity. "But like life not everything goes as simple as you thought and this is my next chapter and I'm fully focused on improving myself and helping the team win trophies. "I have nothing bad to say about United. I wish them all the best and hope they are successful in the future." Update: Date: 18:34 BST Title: 'It feels like home' Content: "Not difficult. I was clear on my preference from the beginning. Actually from maybe in January. It didn't work out in January so I went to Aston Villa and enjoyed a good period there. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to play there. "It was time to make another decision. My choice was easy. It's a family club, something I'm used to from my past. It feels like home. I feel I made the right decision. I'm excited to get going and eager to play the first game in front of the fans. It's a special moment. I'm ready to get going." Update: Date: 18:32 BST Title: 'I want to win the biggest trophies' Content: "I want to win the biggest trophies and feel like Barcelona is a huge club in the football world so it is the perfect place. You see with the team last season, they have a young ambitious team and I want to add my qualities, my personality, improve the team and help them win." Update: Date: 18:30 BST Title: Post Content: First Rashford is asked to hold up his new 14 shirt. Barcelona probably need to shift loads of this merch to get the money to register him. Update: Date: 18:29 BST Title: Get Involved Content: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply) Good luck to Marcus. He will win more trophies at Barca than we will win under Amorim Anon Update: Date: 18:29 BST Title: Post Content: It's working now. You'll be relieved to know. Update: Date: 18:29 BST Title: Post Content: There's a problem with the mic seemingly.