PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — One thing that clearly frustrates Scottie Scheffler when he’s in the media spotlight is the misconception that his success comes effortlessly.
“No,” he said simply during an interview earlier this year when asked if golf was starting to feel “easy” for him. Despite his smile, it was obvious how genuine his response was. “Easy is definitely not the right word. What I love about golf is how challenging it is.”
He echoed this sentiment after his third-round performance at the Open Championship at Royal Portrush, where he shot an impressive 67—featuring 15 pars, two birdies, and an eagle—to open up a four-shot lead. Afterward, a reporter remarked that his round looked “stress-free,” a natural observation given the clean scorecard. Scheffler, ever polite, pushed back gently.
“I think the scorecard might seem stress-free, but I had a couple of crucial par saves on the back nine,” he explained. At the 11th hole, he escaped a tricky lie and sank a long putt to save par. At the 14th, he hacked out of thick rough and still managed to secure another par.
“That shot at 14 was pretty demanding,” Scheffler said. “Luckily, the grass was helping me out a bit, but the ball was buried deep.”
His game isn’t effortless — he wants everyone to understand that. Without his explanation, many wouldn’t know the true challenge behind that smooth-looking score.
Wind, Rain, and Tough Greens — The Royal Portrush Challenge
For those rooting for other players, watching Scheffler’s steady play can be frustrating. The Northern Irish crowd especially felt this on Saturday. Not far ahead of Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, the fiery World No. 2 clad in red, captivated fans with long-range putts, precise iron shots, and even some remarkable buried-ball recoveries. His eagle at the par-5 12th hole drew one of the loudest cheers of his career, sending waves of excitement rolling across the course. It was a celebration of homegrown talent, perfect weather, and the spirit of summer golf.
Meanwhile, Scheffler, who played last in the group, kept his focus unwavering despite hearing the crowd’s roars. His relentless performance limited McIlroy’s gain to a single stroke, even as the Northern Irish star dazzled with a brilliant 66.
“Scottie is the best player in the world right now. I think it’s obvious to everyone,” McIlroy said after his round. “He’s so consistent week after week. It’s going to be really tough to catch him tomorrow.”
Trailing by four strokes, Haotong Li, Scheffler’s Sunday playing partner, appeared realistic about his chances. “I’m just looking forward to the challenge. Four shots behind, I’ll play my best and see what happens.”
Xander Schauffele, last year’s champion at this tournament and one of only two players alongside Scheffler with multiple majors in recent years, described what it looks like when Scheffler reaches his peak.
“When I watch Scottie play, he seems to go into ‘blackout’ mode—completely zoned in,” Schauffele said. “He’s in his own world, and nothing disturbs him. He reaches that state regularly, which is great for him.”
Scheffler’s Unstoppable Drive: His True Superpower
That unyielding determination is Scheffler’s real edge. He just keeps pushing forward, time and time again. He’s closed out nine consecutive 54-hole leads, finished in the top 8 or better in his last 10 events, and amassed 15 wins worldwide since his last missed cut. What other players view as peak performances are Scheffler’s everyday standards. That doesn’t mean it’s easy — far from it — but he’s simply better at handling the pressure and demands of the game.
Lessons from Tiger Woods — The Meaning of Giving 1000%
If you follow golf, you might remember Tiger Woods’ infamous “10” on the 12th hole during the 2020 Masters, held in November due to the pandemic. It was an unprecedented moment, the highest single-hole score of Woods’ professional career. Yet, what followed was equally remarkable: Woods birdied five of the last six holes, showcasing an indomitable spirit. That day, playing alongside Woods in his first Masters final round was none other than Scottie Scheffler.
Scheffler isn’t one to focus on himself much, but last year he shared a revealing reflection on that round and what he learned from Woods’ comeback.
“Tiger had won so many tournaments, and then he makes a 10 on No. 12 at Augusta,” Scheffler said. “To then birdie five of the last six holes—it was incredible. And he hit three of the best iron shots I’ve ever seen in those final holes. Watching him compete like that was unbelievable.”
What stuck with Scheffler was not Woods’ physical skills but his mental commitment. “He puts everything he has into every shot, from the first tee to the last putt. He’s all in, a thousand percent. That’s a rare skill in golf. He’s fully locked in on every shot—reading the greens, approach shots, tee shots. There wasn’t a moment when he wasn’t giving it his all. I learned a lot just watching that.”
Staying Focused Amid the Chaos
On Saturday night, I asked Scheffler if his mind ever wanders during rounds. His typical focus leaves no obvious signs of distraction—he’s usually staring intently at his yardage book or the ground just ahead.
“I think it’s unrealistic to say you never let your mind wander,” he said, modestly. “But I try to control my focus when I’m preparing for a shot—when I’m over the ball. I commit fully. I don’t think about wind or how the ball might bounce. I have a clear picture of what I want to do, and I stick to it.”
The Full Circle: Chasing Champions and Legacy
Golf often works in mysterious ways. In 2020, Scheffler played alongside Woods and Shane Lowry during the Masters final round. Lowry, the 2019 Open champion, won at Royal Portrush the year before.
Now, Scheffler leads by four strokes at Royal Portrush himself, chasing Lowry’s title—and Tiger’s legacy. Not necessarily chasing Woods’ 15 major trophies, but striving to match the intensity and unwavering focus that define Tiger’s game.
Scheffler’s current form is the highest level the sport has seen since Woods’ prime—and he’s still climbing.
“Tomorrow, I’m just going to focus on hitting the fairway off the first tee,” Scheffler said with a shrug at his press conference. “Then I’ll try to get the second shot on the green. Nothing else really changes.”
