Scottie Scheffler reaffirmed his status as the World No. 1 golfer by securing his fourth major title at the 2025 Open Championship held at Royal Portrush. Following this impressive victory, Xander Schauffele, who finished tied for seventh, praised Scheffler’s dominance on the tour and described him as a “tough man to beat.”
Schauffele, ranked World No. 3, entered the tournament as the defending champion but fell short of defending his title despite consistent rounds. Meanwhile, Scheffler’s commanding performance throughout the championship emphasized why he has become one of golf’s most formidable competitors.
Schauffele Highlights Scheffler’s Growing Dominance in Golf
Xander Schauffele openly admired Scottie Scheffler’s exceptional display of skill during the Open Championship. Scheffler’s victory marked the tenth time he converted a 54-hole lead into a tournament win, underscoring his ability to maintain composure under pressure. Starting with an opening round 68, Scheffler surged ahead with a 64 on the second day and a 67 on Saturday, setting him up as the clear frontrunner going into the final round.
Completing the tournament with a 68 on Sunday, Scheffler ended at 17-under par, four strokes ahead of his closest challenger, Harris English. This dominant win represented Scheffler’s second major title of the 2025 season and further cemented his position as the top-ranked golfer globally.
Schauffele joked about the challenge of competing against Scheffler, reflecting on the rarity of such dominance in modern golf:
“He’s incredible. He really is. I don’t think we thought the golfing world would see someone as dominant as Tiger come through so soon, and here’s Scottie sort of taking that throne of dominance. You can’t even say he’s on a run. He’s just been killing it for over two years now. He’s a tough man to beat, and when you see his name up on the leaderboard, it sucks for us.” —Xander Schauffele, professional golfer
Schauffele’s remarks highlight the respect and admiration Scheffler commands from his peers. He emphasized that witnessing a player approach Tiger Woods-level dominance this early in his career was unexpected but fully deserved given Scheffler’s consistent excellence.
Performance Recap: Schauffele’s Strong Effort Amid Scheffler’s Commanding Win
Xander Schauffele’s campaign to defend his title unfolded with mixed results. Beginning with a first-round 71, he improved over the subsequent rounds with scores of 69, 66, and 68, which brought him to a total of 10-under par. Despite this solid performance, it was insufficient to challenge Scheffler’s relentless pace.
On the other hand, Scheffler’s performance was marked by precision and sustained leadership. After opening with a steady 68 on Thursday, his 64 on Friday catapulted him into the lead. By Saturday, his 67 extended his advantage, making him the outright 54-hole leader. His final round 68 sealed both the championship and his streak of ten wins when leading after three rounds.
Harris English followed closely as the runner-up but couldn’t match Scheffler’s consistency, finishing four shots behind. Scheffler’s win at Royal Portrush not only secured his latest title but also confirmed his reputation as one of the most dominant golfers of this era.
Achieving the Career Grand Slam: Scheffler’s Milestone With Open Championship Victory
With his triumph at the 2025 Open Championship, Scottie Scheffler completed three of the four legs required for golf’s prestigious career grand slam. This milestone ranks him among the elite few who have won three of the sport’s four major championships during their careers.
The career grand slam, which requires victories in the Masters Tournament, U.S. Open, PGA Championship, and Open Championship, remains one of golf’s most revered accomplishments. Earlier this year, Rory McIlroy became the sixth player to complete this feat by winning the Masters Tournament, adding to his previous successes in the other three majors.
Before 2025, Scheffler had already won the Masters Tournament and, earlier this year, the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, where he secured victory by a five-stroke margin despite a final round 71. His latest win at Royal Portrush crowned his collection, leaving the U.S. Open as the only major eluding him to complete the grand slam.
Scheffler’s pursuit of this final major carries additional significance as he will have the opportunity to attempt it at the 2026 U.S. Open, coinciding with his 30th birthday. Success would place him as only the seventh player in golf history to claim every major title.
“3 down, 1 to go. Scottie Scheffler will attempt to complete the career Grand Slam on his 30th birthday at the 2026 U.S. Open.” —PGA TOUR
Among active players, only Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson have also won three of the four major championships. However, both have struggled in recent major tournaments, which casts uncertainty over their chances of completing the career grand slam.
Patterns in Major Winners: The Open Championship’s Connection With PGA Champions
Scheffler’s victory at the Open Championship also highlighted a notable trend seen over the past two years, where the golfer who wins the PGA Championship often follows with an Open Championship title within the same year. Last year, Xander Schauffele himself exemplified this pattern by winning the PGA Championship at Valhalla and then the Open Championship at Royal Troon two months later.
This pattern underscores the importance of both skill and momentum in succeeding across the two challenging major tournaments, reflecting how winners can carry confidence and form from one major to the next.
Broader Impact: What Scheffler’s Rise Means for Golf’s Future
Scottie Scheffler’s continued dominance signals a potential new era in professional golf, reminiscent of Tiger Woods’s reign in the early 2000s. His sustained success is inspiring players and fans alike, while setting a high bar for competition on the PGA Tour.
Xander Schauffele’s public recognition of Scheffler’s ability emphasizes the respect that top athletes have for those who excel consistently at the highest level. As Scheffler approaches his quest to complete the career grand slam, anticipation is building around his prospects and the challenges he will face in the coming seasons.
With notable players like Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson currently struggling to maintain their major-winning form, Scheffler’s ascendancy potentially marks a shift toward fresh dominance in men’s golf over the next decade.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Xander Schauffele a smoker?
A. Xander Schauffele shared that after winning The Open last year, he temporarily celebrated by drinking a lot more and smoking more cigars.