Scottie Scheffler captured the British Open at Royal Portrush with another commanding performance, earning the third leg of a career Grand Slam and continuing a dominant stretch that has drawn inevitable comparisons to Tiger Woods—comparisons Scheffler himself calls “a bit silly.”
The 29-year-old Texan surged ahead early in the final round, growing his four-shot lead to seven within the first hour through a steady string of fairways and birdie putts. Even his reaction to a gritty par save on the sixth hole—a fierce fist pump—reminded fans of Woods’ intensity, especially echoing Tiger’s emotional par putt during his historic 15-shot victory at the 2000 U.S. Open.
Despite a rare stumble—a double bogey on the 8th hole after a fairway bunker misstep—Scheffler’s overall performance was nearly flawless. He finished with a four-shot victory, noting that limiting mistakes was key to his success. “To only have one double—really one over-par hole—in the last 36 holes of a major championship, that’s how you’re able to win these tournaments,” Scheffler said.
His recent run includes a five-shot win at the PGA Championship in May and a four-shot win at the 2024 Masters. Since winning his first major at Augusta in 2022, he has claimed four major titles and now sits firmly atop the world rankings—no one has held the No. 1 position for as long since Woods.
Analysts and tour researchers have noted the statistical similarities. Both Scheffler and Woods took exactly 1,197 days to go from their first to fourth major wins. Both have won multiple majors in the same year by margins of at least four strokes.
But Scheffler remains grounded. “Tiger won 15 majors. This is my fourth. I just got one-fourth of the way there,” he said. “Tiger stands alone in the game of golf… He was inspirational for me growing up.”
Some observers suggest Rory McIlroy is a more realistic point of comparison. McIlroy also won four majors in three years, including dominant performances in 2014. Yet he has not added to that tally in over a decade—reminding fans that sustained excellence is what truly defines greatness.
Scheffler’s latest triumph marks his fourth win of the season and his 20th worldwide. He has now won 11 straight tournaments when leading after 54 holes. Despite early-year setbacks—including an odd injury from cutting ravioli with a wine glass—he has remained a model of consistency and focus.
While McIlroy’s dramatic Masters win to complete the career Grand Slam may still be the year’s emotional highlight, even he acknowledged Scheffler’s rise. “I also had the three wins when Scottie wasn’t quite on his game,” McIlroy said.
Praise has poured in from across the golf world. “He is the bar that we’re all trying to get to,” said McIlroy. “He’s just been killing it for over two years now,” added Xander Schauffele. “You can’t even say he’s on a run.”
Scheffler’s style of play differs from Woods’. He rarely needs recovery shots because he avoids trouble. He’s not interested in superstardom, brand deals, or transcending the game. As Jordan Spieth put it, “He doesn’t care to be a superstar… He just works, competes, and wins.”
Scheffler echoed that sentiment: “I don’t focus on that kind of stuff. That’s not what motivates me. I’m not motivated by winning championships… I get to play professional golf, and I feel like I’m called to do it to the best of my ability.”
And right now, he’s doing it better than anyone else.