Scottie Scheffler entered the final round of The Open 2025 at Royal Portrush with a substantial lead, holding a seven-shot advantage as he began his pursuit of completing a career Grand Slam. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy, starting six shots back, sought to close the gap amid a charged atmosphere and mounting pressure. The stage was set for an intense showdown between the World No. 1 and his closest challengers as the final round commenced in the afternoon.
Scottie Scheffler’s commanding position was the result of consistent and precise play through the first three rounds, showcasing his poise and mental strength. His performance at Portrush demonstrated an impressive ability to navigate the challenging links conditions, holding firm despite minor slips.
Early Challenges: MCIlroy’s Aggressive Play and Scheffler’s Missteps
Rory McIlroy launched his round with aggressive swings, notably producing a remarkable 433-yard drive at the ninth hole, leaving him a short wedge shot to the green and sparking hope of a charge up the leaderboard. Despite the strong start, McIlroy encountered difficulties with approach shots and chipping, including a weak flop shot on the 10th that landed short of the green, forcing him to make a 15-20 foot bogey putt soon after Scheffler suffered an uncharacteristic double-bogey at the eighth.
Scheffler, who had gone 32 holes without a bogey before the 8th hole, saw his streak end with the double bogey that reduced his lead to four strokes. His tee shot on the eighth found a right fairway bunker, complicating his play for the hole, and he struggled with a thin shot that struck the revetted face instead of reaching the green smoothly.
Later, McIlroy’s chip shot at the 10th failed to set up a birdie, resulting in a par that kept him several strokes behind but still within striking distance. Despite some rough drives and missed greens, McIlroy’s determination saw him repeatedly recovering from tricky lies. He notably managed to scramble with an intelligent chip to regain par on the 10th, keeping momentum alive in his pursuit.
Strong Performances by Contenders Close to the Lead
Aside from Scheffler and McIlroy, several players remained firmly in the frame as the final round unfolded. Haotong Li matched Chris Gotterup at 11-under par following an excellent recovery shot, positioning them just behind McIlroy. Xander Schauffele, the defending champion, compiled a steady front nine with a birdie at the ninth to reach nine-under, although he is unlikely to defend his title given the size of Scheffler’s lead.
Bryson DeChambeau, recovering from a poor start earlier in the tournament, surged with a brilliant 64 on Sunday to climb to nine-under and into the top 10. His aggressive play with his evolving equipment and an under-construction custom golf ball led to a strong charge, though he remained too many strokes back to realistically challenge the leader.
Other contenders such as Matt Fitzpatrick, Harris English, and Tommy Fleetwood made moves to tighten the leaderboard, but none of their rallies threatened to significantly disrupt Scheffler’s comfortable cushion.
Critical Moments Threaten the Leader but Do Not Shake His Resolve
Scheffler’s composure was tested during a stretch of two missed greens in a row and a challenging lie in the left fairway bunker at the seventh. Despite these obstacles, he efficiently managed to avoid costly errors. His putting coach, Phil Kenyon, has notably enhanced Scheffler’s performance on the greens, with the World No. 1 currently ranking first in both Total Strokes Gained and Strokes Gained Putting this week.
Despite a rare double bogey at the eighth, Scheffler demonstrated resilience, recovering with birdies at subsequent holes, including a precision wedge shot followed by a successful birdie putt from 10 feet. His ability to manage risk and maintain mental focus seemed to reflect the experience that has made him 9-for-9 when leading after 54 holes.
The strength of Scheffler’s long game was also evident as he avoided bunkers all week — an extraordinary feat reflecting both skill and strategic course management — and helped sustain his wide margin over the field.
McIlroy Sparks the Crowd and Makes a Late Charge
The final round at Royal Portrush was electrified by Rory McIlroy’s determination and the enthusiastic crowd that roared his name at the first tee. Despite early missed opportunities, including narrowly missing birdies at the 2nd and 8th holes, McIlroy continued to build momentum, rolling in putts and firing impressive long shots.
His putt from 40 feet on the 6th was a highlight, trailing agonizingly wide but fueling belief that he could close the gap. A monster drive at the 9th hole reduced his approach to just 72 yards, setting up several good scoring chances. Birdies from McIlroy at the 2nd and then again later in the round brought him closer to the leaders, tying him with Li and Gotterup at 11-under for second place.
The atmosphere intensified with chants of “Rory, Rory, Rory!” echoing around the crowd as the Northern Irishman’s surge placed pressure on Scheffler, though the leader’s consistency meant the gap remained substantial.
Supporting Competitors and Notable Performances Around the Course
Besides the main contenders, other players provided memorable moments on Sunday. Shane Lowry ignited the crowd with multiple birdies, including a notable run of three consecutive near-perfect approaches that thrilled the home fans, closing his round at five-under with significant momentum.
Hideki Matsuyama showcased steady play, joining others at eight-under and moving within reach of top-10 positions, while Rickie Fowler began with a confident birdie on the second hole, evoking nostalgia with his classic style on the links.
Further down the leaderboard, Nathan Kimsey made his major championship debut alongside DeChambeau, producing moments of promise, while veteran Phil Mickelson enjoyed a bogey-free day, striving to climb from two-over for the tournament.
The Course and Conditions Favor Low Scoring But Challenge Consistency
Royal Portrush played firm and fast throughout the final day, with scoring conditions remaining favorable amid dry weather and fair winds. Many players found birdie opportunities, particularly on some of the more accessible par-5s and down the easier holes. However, the tricky bunkers and demanding greens tested shot-making and mental resilience.
The fairways demanded precision, and while Scheffler’s avoidance of hazardous bunkers signaled exceptional control, others struggled to maintain clean ball-striking under pressure. The challenge of the revetted faces and undulating greens proved decisive in moments where players like Scheffler and McIlroy had to adapt quickly to adverse bounces and less-than-ideal lies.
Historical Significance and What Lies Ahead for Scheffler and McIlroy
Scottie Scheffler’s current lead and performance at The Open 2025 have put him on the brink of adding the Claret Jug to his growing list of major titles, with the potential to complete a career Grand Slam. His dominance through the first three rounds and resilience today reinforce the narrative of a player maturing into a major championship great.
McIlroy’s determined push in the final round has rekindled hopes among fans and pundits of a potentially thrilling finish but given Scheffler’s mental toughness and consistent execution, a showdown now appears unlikely. Should Scheffler maintain this form, he will continue his flawless record of converting 54-hole leads into victories, extending his legacy.
The implications stretch beyond just The Open, as remaining challenges on the PGA Tour and upcoming Majors will test both players’ ability to build on this momentum. For McIlroy, it is a reminder of his enduring competitiveness, while for Scheffler, a chance to cement his place among the sport’s elite with one of the most commanding performances at a Major in recent memory.
Memorable Quotes from Key Moments in the Final Round
“Winning Major Championships is not an easy task, and I’ve put myself in a good position,” said Scottie Scheffler ahead of the final round.
“Going into tomorrow I’m going to step up there on the first tee and I’m going to be trying to get the ball in the fairway, and when I get to the second shot I’m going to be trying to get that ball on the green. There’s not really too much else going on.” — Scottie Scheffler
“it might not be too bad.” — Rory McIlroy, reacting to a challenging tee shot situation
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What was Scottie Scheffler upset about?
A. Scottie Scheffler scored 69 on Thursday at Quail Hollow, but found it frustrating when mud on the balls affected his game and caused missed shots. Due to a mud-covered ball, Scheffler, who is recognized for his skills with irons, scored a double bogey on the 16th hole during the 2025 PGA Championship.
Q. What did Scottie Scheffler do illegally?
A. The top-ranked golfer tried to reach Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, at 6 a.m. He bypassed an accident scene where a pedestrian had died, according to the police. Scheffler faces several charges, including second-degree assault of a police officer and reckless driving.
Q. What does Tiger Woods think of Scottie Scheffler?
A. He wrapped up by discussing Scheffler’s accuracy and mastery. Woods explained that Scheffler’s ability to hit specific targets and adjust his shots helps him manage distance effectively when approaching the greens.