Lefty's Ex-Caddie in Awe, Makes Scottie Scheffler-Tiger Woods Comparison
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Scottie Scheffler's dominance at Royal Portrush continued on Saturday as the World No. 1 carded a bogey-free 67 to stretch his lead to four shots heading into the final round of the 153rd Open Championship.
With a three-day total of 14-under 199, Scheffler tied the fourth-lowest 54-hole score in Open history.
His round featured a pinpoint six-iron to 10 feet for eagle at the seventh. He added 2 more clap-worthy shots with eagle putts on the eighth and at the treacherous "Calamity Corner" 16th.
Each shot drew roars from the Portrush galleries and nods of respect across the golf media. Interestingly, one of them was from Phil Mickelson's ex-caddie, Jim "Bones" Mackay, who worked with Lefty for 25 years.
Phil Mickelson's Ex-Caddie, Jim 'Bones' Mackay, was left in awe with Scottie Scheffler's performance at The Open and made a Tiger Woods comparison. (Image Collage | Getty Images)
Phil Mickelson's Ex-Caddie, Jim 'Bones' Mackay, was left in awe with Scottie Scheffler's performance at The Open and made a Tiger Woods comparison. (Image Collage | Getty Images)
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"When it comes to execution and the time to turn that switch on and hit a quality shot, they're identical in that respect," Mackay expressed, per a post shared by Nuclr Golf on X. "I never thought in my lifetime I'd see a player as close to Tiger as this man currently is."
The comment sent ripples through the golf world. Coming from someone who spent years by Mickelson's side during Tiger's peak, it packed real weight.
Rory McIlroy echoed the sentiment in his own way after posting a third-round 66 that moved him into a tie for fourth.
"Yeah, look, Scottie Scheffler is — it's inevitable," McIlroy told reporters during his post-round conference. "Even when he doesn't have his best stuff, he's become a (indiscernible) player. He's improved so much with his putter."
Although McIlroy is a former champion of The Open, he embraced the challenge of competing against the 16-time PGA Tour champion.
"Yeah, it's going to be tough to catch him (Sunday) if he keeps playing the way he does," he stated as per the transcripts. "But if I can get out (Sunday) and get off to a similar start to what I did (Saturday), get the crowd going ... you never know. But I just need to go out and play another really good round of golf (Sunday) and see what happens."
Records at Stake for Scottie Scheffler's win at The Open
Since March 2024, Scheffler has claimed 11 PGA Tour titles, including The Players Championship, the Memorial, and the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
That run also includes his iconic win at the Masters last year and this year's PGA Championship. A win at Portrush would secure his 12th title in 16 months and carve his name into history in multiple ways.
As per PGA Tour Communications' post on X, Scheffler's first Open Championship win would make him the:
"31st player with four or more major championships
9th player to win the Masters, PGA Championship, and The Open—joining Rory McIlroy, who completed the trifecta earlier this season
2nd consecutive player to win both the PGA Championship and The Open in the same year (after Xander Schauffele in 2024)
12th straight first-time Open Champion, continuing a streak dating to Ernie Els's last repeat win in 2012"
With the Claret Jug in sight, Scheffler was scheduled to tee off in the final round at 9:35 a.m. ET on Sunday, alongside China's Haotong Li.
More Golf: Scottie Scheffler Storms to Lead of Open Championship Amid Chaotic Weather
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