By Roy J. Akers –www.skyviewsports.net
The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush had a familiar face leading the event, and Scottie Scheffler on his hunt for his fourth career major. With SS leading by multiple strokes, the fans tried pumping life into Rory McIlroy early to try to cut into the leader’s four-shot lead.
Scottie Scheffler
Scheffler started the week telling the media, “What’s the point” of being number one in the world? He told me earlier this year in a media availability that it’s more important to win than to have records that no one will ever beat. Scheffler knows that winning means money, and that is what the World’s No. 1 player does. Building a seven-shot lead over five players, including Rory McIlroy, by the fourth hole took the drama out of this Open. He extended his lead to seven before scrambling for par on the 7th and doubling on the eighth to see his lead cut to four. No one outside of Harris English made a run at Scheffler and he wins his fourth career major.
Harris English has a power finishing round
English finishes in sole position of second place. An eagle, bogey and four birdies give him a five-under par 66. English finishes second in two majors this season. The PGA and now, The Open.
Rory – Plenty of support, no closing power
McIlroy has sort of been in a golf hangover since his career-defining Grand Slam win at the Masters in April. Solid rounds put him at ten under for the tournament. His second best finish (T-7) in 2025. McIlroy will be in the PGA Tour playoffs and then as a key member of the Ryder Cup in September.
Rickie Fowler redeems himself on Sunday
Fowler has been criticized for being given several sponsors exemptions this year, and The Open is no different. Fowler won the Rocket Classic in 2023 and to give life into his career and has been mostly up and down since. Fowler said this about playing in this event. “Yeah, it’s great,” Fowler said. “We’ve been in the mix quite a few times over here. I love playing over here. It’s a style of golf I love to play. I know I can compete in any style of golf, but especially this.” For the week, Fowler left the course T-5.
| -8 | F | -6 | 69 | 72 | 70 | 65 | 276 |
Shane Lowry puts together a 66 on final day
The 2019 Open Champion did not repeat. He started with rounds of 70-72-74 before going low on the final day. He started of the final day with a bogey on the par 5 second before going out in 32 and in in 34. He will be on the Ryder Cup team.
Roy J. Akers covers the PGA Tour for www.skyviewsports.net
