At 29, Scottie Scheffler is one round away from completing his career Grand Slam with a commanding lead at The Open at Royal Portrush. Read the latest leaderboard, major victories, and what stands between him and history.
⛳ Background Context
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (b. June 21, 1996) has already captured three majors: The Masters in 2022 and 2024, and the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow—his first away from Augusta—totaling 16 PGA Tour victories.
At the 153rd Open Championship held at Royal Portrush, Scheffler has surged into a commanding four-shot lead after rounds of 68‑64‑67 (–14), a position he’s converted into victory every time he’s held a 54-hole advantage.
🧭 The Historic Stakes
- Win at Portrush = 4 majors, and only the fourth player in history to win The Masters, PGA Championship, and The Open before turning 30—joining Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods .
- Sets up pursuit of the career Grand Slam, needing the U.S. Open to complete it.
📊 Leaderboard Breakdown
- Scottie Scheffler: –14, with a bogey-free 67 in Round 3, eagle-birdie burst, eagle on 7, birdie on 8, no dropped shots .
- Haotong Li (China): –10, one shot ahead of Fitzpatrick; pairing with Scheffler in final round .
- Matt Fitzpatrick: –9, consistent but slightly back .
- Rory McIlroy: –8, electrifying roars with a 66; still in contention but six strokes back .
⛳ What’s Fueling Scheffler’s Run?
- Elite Putting: +6.39 strokes gained with a ‘claw grip’—a tool increasingly used by top golfers .
- Resilient Ball‑striking: Despite only hitting 3 fairways in wet conditions, he has managed °3-par rounds including birdies and eagles .
- Psychological Poise: Unphased by chase and sensational leaders; resilience has kept him in control .
🏆 Scheffler’s Majors at a Glance
- 2022, 2024 Masters – earned two Green Jackets
- 2025 PGA Championship – first PGA major title .
- Now, potential The Open victory = first non‑US major and step toward career Grand Slam.
Active leaderboard status: top‑ranked, consistent winner, psychologically and technically dominant .
⏰ Today’s Playing Conditions
- Final round tee times begin 8:30 AM local (BST); Scheffler tees off last at 2:30 PM .
- Early-second pairing (McIlroy, Fitzpatrick) at 2:20 PM; winds and coastal weather may ramp up mid-afternoon.
👥 The Chasers
- Haotong Li: Best-ever chances for a Chinese golfer; second at –10, riding momentum .
- Rory McIlroy: Crowd-favorite, home hero, red-hot 66 pushing to retreat sudden surge .
- Other threats: Fitzpatrick, Hatton, Schauffele lurking just behind with potential to pressure.
a tradition unlike any other pic.twitter.com/rIdLj6Xv26
— TrackingScheffler (@SchefflerLegion) July 19, 2025
🧠 Scheffler’s Personal Reflections
- Despite major success, Parental life and faith supersede golf — he said, “euphoria of winning is fleeting… not the deepest joy” .
- Aware of his dominance, he expressed gratitude but tempered ambition with self-awareness .
🔮 Final Round Preview
- Scheffler appears set to capitalize—his track record (10/10 wins converting 54-hole leads) puts him as a heavy favorite .
- Variables: coastal wind, leaderboard pressure, resilient challengers.
- Victory would mark his 4th major and 3rd leg in the race for a career Grand Slam.
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