This golfer questioned whether winning was everything. Then he won a major – again

Portrush, Northern Ireland: Scottie Scheffler’s robotic dominance of world golf has continued in Northern Ireland, with the world No.1 winning his fourth major and first Open Championship in stunning fashion at Royal Portrush.

Last week, the American raised eyebrows when he said winning tournaments was “not a fulfilling life”. Regardless, he was never in danger of losing his grip on the Claret Jug on Sunday, carding a final round of three-under 68.

Scottie Scheffler of the United States celebrates with his son Bennett Scheffler and the Claret Jug on the 18th green after winning The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 20, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland.Credit: Getty Images

Local hope Rory McIlroy, who finished tied for seventh, did his best to try to run Scheffler down after posting a final two-under round of 69, but the American was far too good for the rest of the field.

Whether or not he was fulfilled by the win, Scheffler definitely enjoyed getting the win over the crowd favourite.

“The crowd wanted someone else to win this week and I got to play spoiler … it was a really interesting day but it was also a lot of fun,” Scheffler said.

As so many world-class golfers struggled to deal with the rain, wind, and undulating fairways throughout the week, Scheffler, at times, made it look elementary.

Scheffler’s dominance left the Northern Irishman McIlroy feeling pure admiration.

Crowd favourite Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his second shot on the 17th hole during day four.Credit: Getty Images

“There’s only two or three players in the history of the game that have been on a run that Scottie has been on here for the last 24 to 36 months. It’s incredibly impressive, he’s a very worthy winner but also he’s a great person and a wonderful ambassador for our game as well, so I’m really happy for him and [wife] Meredith and his family.”

McIlroy will headline the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne in the first week of December, which is set to generate the most interest in Australian golf since the Presidents Cup in 2019.

Scheffler, who only had three bogeys and one double for the 72 holes, hurled his white Nike hat towards the heavens after making par on the 18th and ran to his wife and young son for a celebratory embrace.

“Being able to walk up the 18th hole with the tournament in hand is a tough thing to describe,” Scheffler said as he reflected on his week.

“This was one of my best performances, mentally. We did a really good job to stay in the moment all week.”

Last remaining Australian Marc Leishman, who went into the final round at four-under for the tournament, had a rough Sunday, making four bogeys and a double to card a four-over round of 75.

Frustrated at times during the round, Leishman was calm and reflective afterwards.

“Some days you have it, and some days you don’t,” he smiled. “Today I didn’t. Disappointing day. Yeah, you have days like that sometimes, and obviously you don’t want them to be on Sunday of a British Open. Yeah, we’d like to have had a better score, but didn’t.”

Marc Leishman of Australia tees off on the sixth hole during day four of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club.Credit: Getty Images

Leishman, who finished tied for second at the Open in 2015, hasn’t played in the tournament since 2022, when he finished inside the top 10 behind winner and fellow Australian Cam Smith.

It’s his first Open championship since that point, having defected to the breakaway Saudi tour LIV Golf.

Leishman, like he did this year, will have to qualify to play in the Open next year, having failed to finish inside the top 10 and guarantee entry.

“Obviously, if everything works out and we can get in them, I’d love to play them. If not, I’m not going to stress over it or anything. Yes, I really want to be here, but happy with my decisions.

“I’ve been playing some really good golf. The last two months, the results haven’t quite been there. The game’s still there. The week before the one in Miami or a couple of weeks before that, I kind of played like I did this week and just didn’t have a good result. I know it’s close, which is good.

“Hopefully, I can have a really good finish to the year and play my way back in for next year.”

Leishman was the only one of nine Australians to make the cut at Royal Portrush in what was a disastrous tournament for so many of his countrymen.

The Victorian has confirmed he will play in both the Australian PGA at Royal Queensland and the Australian Open later in the year.

Sam McClure travelled to the British Open with the assistance of Golf Australia.

News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.