Scottie Scheffler is on track to claim his next major championship as he leads the 153rd Open Championship after three rounds at Royal Portrush, with a commanding four-shot lead. Scheffler fired a 4-under 67 on Saturday, bringing his score to 14 under, and has bogeyed just three holes in three days.
He has also shown incredible performance on the par-3s, playing them 6 under, including the challenging Calamity Corner at the 16th hole.
Notably, Scheffler has not lost any of the last nine times he’s led after 54 holes, which puts him in a great position heading into Sunday’s final round.
While Scheffler downplays his advantage, focusing on execution and not overthinking his game, his competitors have been more candid in acknowledging his dominance. Here’s what they had to say about Scheffler’s impressive performance:
Rory McIlroy on Scheffler’s Inevitable Success
Rory McIlroy, who is still in the hunt, had high praise for Scheffler, calling his success “inevitable.” He acknowledged that even when Scheffler isn’t at his best, his skill is undeniable, especially with his improved putting. “It’s going to be tough to catch him tomorrow if he keeps playing the way he does,” McIlroy said.
However, McIlroy isn’t giving up, adding, “If I can get out tomorrow and get off to a similar start to what I did today, get the crowd going, hopefully he tails out a couple groups behind me, and you never know.”
Matt Fitzpatrick’s Realistic Approach
Matt Fitzpatrick knows how difficult it will be to catch Scheffler but remains optimistic. “Let’s be realistic, he’s five ahead. It’s not easy,” Fitzpatrick admitted. He believes that a strong start could put pressure on Scheffler and shift momentum in his favor.
Fitzpatrick also recognized the drastic improvement in Scheffler’s putting, noting, “His putting is night and day… he’s just not missed a putt today, and that’s obviously the difference that’s taken him to this unbeatable run.”
Harris English: Acknowledging Scheffler’s Work Ethic
Harris English expressed admiration not only for Scheffler’s skill but for his work ethic. “He works harder than anybody I’ve ever seen,” English said. “He’s got a great system… it’s really impressive.
Just a great guy overall. He’s easy to root for.” English highlighted how Scheffler’s dedication is evident both in his play and in the way he approaches his career, making him an easy player to admire.
Bob MacIntyre on Scheffler’s Exceptional Performance
Bob MacIntyre went as far as to call Scheffler “by far the best player in the world.” Reflecting on his early 2023 performance, MacIntyre shared how Scheffler’s stats were so far ahead of the competition that it made his pursuit of No. 1 in the world feel nearly impossible.
“Scheffler was further ahead of No. 2 in the world than I was at wherever I was, 15, 16 in the world,” MacIntyre said. He also noted that Scheffler’s hard work is a significant part of his success, praising both his talent and his relentless dedication.
Scheffler’s Calm and Focused Approach
As the final round approaches, Scheffler remains as calm and focused as ever. He continued to downplay his commanding position, saying, “I’m just trying to execute, not overthinking things.” His mindset seems to be paying off, as he heads into Sunday with a clear head and the confidence of a seasoned competitor.
