Americans formidable at Royal Portrush
The World Number One golfer, Scottie Scheffler, scooped the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland in formidable style with a score of 17-under for a four-shot victory over fellow American Harris English.
With rounds of 68, 64, 67 and 68, the 29-year old from Texas seized his fourth Major title on the links course in County Antrim yesterday. And with the best weather of the week forecast, Scheffler seemed so relaxed and simply about to enjoy the final day of the oldest and last Major of the season.
Blazing start for Scheffler
Scheffler played with Haotong Li from China on Sunday who was four shots behind Scheffler. Yet the World Number One got off to a blazing start with birdies at the first, fourth and fifth holes. Then came an upset after his drive landed in the fairway bunker at the 7th. He splashed out safely but then his approach-shot missed the green on the left. Alas, his chip to the green was also not up to the exceptionally high standard expected from Scheffler. However, without any unecessary stress he simply holed the putt for par. This player is phenomenal! Perhaps this was a wake-up call for the World Number One player – stay focussed!
At the next hole, he found another bunker and, rather surprisingly, left the ball in the sand which eventually cost him an expensive double-bogey. The leader had stood seven strokes ahead of the rest of the field. Six of whom were runners-up on 10-under par. Then fellow-American Chris Gotterup made a birdie to close the lead to just four strokes. After victory in the Scottish Open last week, Gotterup was really on a roll at Royal Portrush. Another American was too.
Clark seizes share of fourth with Fitzpatrick and Li
Wyndham Clark, who won the US Open in 2023 when he pushed Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler into second and third spot, had also squeezed into the runner-up spot on 11-under after carding eight birdies in 17 holes. Clark actually made a par down the 18th to secure an impressive round of 6-under par 65 which earned him a share of 4th spot with England’s Matt Fitzpatrick and Haotong Li. Alas, the player from China suffered a double-bogey at the 14th which was a tragedy for the 29-year old.
In fact, there were a host of names jostling for runner-up spot to Scheffler. And no sooner had they nudged ahead then another player made a birdie to take their place. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and American Harris English were among them.
Thinking of Harris English, he was putting sublimely and seemed to hole pretty well every putt in sight. No wonder the 35-year old could produce such a wonderful four rounds of golf at Royal Portrush. On Sunday, he made an eagle at the par-5 12th to boost his score before rounding off with a 2, 3, 4 finish to secure the second position on his own on 13-under par.
Magnetic flagstick for Scheffler
After his double-bogey at the 8th hole, Scottie Scheffler retaliated with a birdie at the 9th and then just soared to the clubhouse with amazing golf with such impressive backspin that you would have thought the flagstick was magnetic. He conjured-up another birdie at the 12th and then made straight pars all the way home for a 3-under par round of 68 and an Open Championship tally of 17-under par.
The golf fans at Royal Portrush were gloriously enthusiastic the whole week. And now to welcome the World Number One golfer, Scottie Scheffler, as the Champion Golfer of the Year was an absolute delight!
Interestingly before the age of 30, Scottie Scheffler has now won the Masters, the PGA Championship and the Open just like Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods which is truly amazing. Perhaps soon he will complete the grand slam by winning the US Open too.
Many, many congratulations to you Scottie Scheffler. You are now the 153rd Open Champion and we are truly proud of you!
Wendy Hoad
Editor
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: The 153rd Open Champion from America, Scottie Scheffler. MINIS (l-r): Scottie Scheffler, Harris English, Matt Fitzgerald and Haotong Li. UNDER (l-r): Tyrrell Hatton and Rory McIlroy.