Hours before Scottie Scheffler teed off for his first Sunday shot at The Open Championship in Portrush, Shane Lowry, the previous winner there, hit an incredible shot, exclaiming, “This game will drive you mad!” This phrase, reflecting golf`s unpredictability, applies to many players, like the emotional Lowry or Rory McIlroy. But Scottie Scheffler is a different case entirely.
On the golf course, Scheffler appears utterly unflappable. Xander Schauffele describes his state as “blackout mode,” where Scheffler is completely focused on the next shot. Rarely does anything throw him off his game. As Jordan Spieth noted, Scheffler`s emotions only surface when he misses putts, as he rarely makes other errors.
Scheffler`s Sunday performance at Royal Portrush was a masterclass, another display of his superiority, earning him his fourth major championship and the third leg of the career Grand Slam. This further confirmed his unique approach to the game. Xander Schauffele commented, “We didn`t think the golfing world would see someone as dominant as Tiger come through so soon. And here`s Scottie taking that throne of dominance. He`s a tough man to beat, and when you see his name on the leaderboard, it sucks for us.”
From an outsider`s perspective, Scheffler`s path to victory seemed effortless and serene. He methodically accumulated points, barely reacting to the crowd`s disappointment, who were rooting for McIlroy. Even when his shot fell short, eliciting cheers from the crowd, he calmly corrected the error and even showed a rare, Tiger-like fist pump. Fans realized the game was over as early as Friday when Scheffler shot 64. Scottie admitted it was fun to be a “spoiler” for a public that saw him as an enigmatic, almost alien force. By the 18th hole, with his lead undeniable, thousands of Irish fans had no choice but to give him a standing ovation.
Rory McIlroy conceded, “He`s been on a different level all week… He is the bar we`re all trying to reach.” Scheffler is making history, prompting comparisons to Tiger Woods, though he himself avoids them. His ability to be such a dominant figure when all top players are equally physically prepared and equipped only highlights his two main advantages: incredible consistency and a unique mental approach. On Sunday, he once again shared his philosophy:
“It`s amazing to win The Open Championship, but ultimately, success in life, whether in golf, work, or anything else, does not fulfill the deepest desires of your heart… It`s simply hard to describe if you haven`t lived it.”
When the final putt dropped on the 18th, Scheffler hugged his caddie and, for the first time in a while, displayed vivid emotions, celebrating with his family. He consistently emphasizes that true joy comes from his roles as a father and husband, not from trophies or recognition. His father, Scott, watching his grandson play with a plastic club and speaking with marshals, confirmed: Scottie has never focused on his place in history; he`s simply concentrated on the moment.
Jordan Spieth put it this way: “He doesn`t care to be a superstar… I don`t think anyone else is like him.”
Scheffler doesn`t seek public attention; on the contrary, he tries to avoid it, but his outstanding play inevitably puts him in the spotlight. He even shared a funny anecdote about having two Chipotle locations, and he visits one because no one there recognizes him.
On that summer evening in Portrush, Scheffler returned to the 18th green as the arena`s most famous man to receive his trophy. When R&A CEO Mark Darbon announced him as “The Champion Golfer of the Year,” his family exchanged smiles. Scheffler modestly remarked,
“I don`t think I`m anything special just because some weeks I`m better at shooting a lower score than other guys. Right now I`m the best player in the world; this week I was the best. I`m sitting here with the trophy. In Memphis, we`ll start over at even par, and the show goes on.”
And Scheffler is right. The show will go on, but the evidence continues to mount: the game that others often struggle to bend to their will, he is mastering.
