It wasn't even close, honestly. When people ask who won the Open Championship in 2025, the answer is a name that has become synonymous with a sort of inevitable, quiet dominance: Scottie Scheffler.
He didn't just win; he dismantled one of the most feared links courses on the planet. Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland is a place where dreams usually go to die in the gorse bushes or get swept away by a sudden Atlantic gale. But Scheffler, the world number one, played like he was having a casual Sunday morning stroll back home in Texas.
He finished at 17-under-par.
Think about that for a second. On a course where the wind can turn a 4-iron into a 7-iron in the blink of an eye, he shot four straight rounds in the 60s. He won by four clear strokes over Harris English. It was his first Claret Jug and his fourth major title overall, and frankly, by the time he reached the 15th hole on Sunday, the rest of the field was basically playing for second place.
How Scottie Scheffler Won The Open Championship At Portrush
The week started with a bit of a logjam. After Thursday, we had five guys tied for the lead at 4-under. Scheffler was lurking just one back. But Friday was the "moving day" that actually moved everyone else out of the way.
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He carded a 64.
That seven-under-par round was a masterclass in modern golf. He wasn't just hitting it long; he was placing the ball with surgical precision. While other players were hacking out of the thick rough on the Dunluce Links, Scottie was finding fairways and giving himself looks at birdie on almost every hole. He became the first world number one to hold the 36-hole lead at The Open since Tiger Woods did it back in 2006. That's the kind of company he's keeping now.
By Saturday night, he had a four-shot cushion. Most players would feel the heat, especially with a guy like Rory McIlroy trying to make a charge for the home crowd. But Scottie? He just went out and shot a bogey-free 67. It was almost boring how good it was. He entered the final round with a lead he had no intention of giving up.
The Final Round Drama (Or Lack Thereof)
There was one tiny moment of hope for the chasing pack. On the 8th hole on Sunday, Scheffler stumbled. He made a double-bogey. Suddenly, the lead shrank, and the Portrush crowd started to get loud. You could feel the energy shifting.
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Then, Scottie did Scottie things.
He didn't panic. He didn't start chasing pins. He just birdied the 9th. Then he birdied the 12th. Just like that, the door was slammed shut. He tapped in for a 68 to finish at 267 total. Harris English put up a valiant effort with a final-round 66 to finish second at 13-under, and Chris Gotterup—who had won the Scottish Open just a week prior—took third. But they were all just supporting actors in Scottie’s show.
Why This Open Championship Win Was Different
We've seen dominant players before, but Scheffler’s run in 2025 felt different. He wasn't just winning; he was solving the golf course. Most experts, like those at The R&A or veteran commentators on the Golf Channel, pointed to his footwork and his ability to control his ball flight in the wind as the deciding factors.
Usually, American players struggle with the "bump and run" style required for links golf. They're used to flying the ball all the way to the hole on soft greens. Scottie adapted. He used the slopes. He played the ground.
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It’s worth noting that before this win, some critics wondered if he could actually get it done on a traditional links setup. He had the Masters wins, sure. He had the PGA Championship. But The Open is a different beast. By lifting that Claret Jug, he silenced every remaining doubt about his versatility. He joined the elite club of golfers who have won multiple majors in a single season, having already picked up a win earlier in the year.
The Leaderboard: Who Else Showed Up?
While Scottie ran away with it, the rest of the leaderboard was a fascinating mix of gritty veterans and surging newcomers.
- Harris English (-13): He was the silent assassin all week. He didn't have the flashy rounds, but he was incredibly consistent. His 66 on Sunday was actually the best round among the leaders, but he started too far back to catch the runaway train.
- Chris Gotterup (-12): The breakout star of the summer. Coming off a win in Scotland, he proved that his game travels. To finish third in your first real taste of the "big" Open is massive.
- Rory McIlroy (-10): The hometown hero. He finished T7. The pressure of playing in Northern Ireland is immense, and while he didn't win, he gave the fans plenty to cheer about with a 66 on Saturday.
- Bryson DeChambeau (-9): He fired a 64 on Sunday—the round of the day—to jump into the top 10. If he hadn't opened with a disastrous 78 on Thursday, we might have had a very different tournament.
Looking Ahead To Royal Birkdale 2026
So, what does this mean for the future of the sport? Honestly, we’re living in the Scheffler Era. His win at Portrush wasn't a fluke; it was a statement. He took home a cool $3.1 million for his troubles, but you get the feeling he cares way more about the trophy.
If you’re looking to follow in the footsteps of the pros or just want to understand the game better, here are a few things to keep in mind for the next major season:
- Study the ground game: Scheffler didn't win by hitting it high; he won by knowing how the ball would bounce. If you play on windy courses, practice your "stinger" shots and low chips.
- Emotional regulation is key: That double-bogey on the 8th could have broken a lesser player. Scottie’s "neutral" mindset is his greatest weapon.
- Keep an eye on the schedule: The 154th Open Championship is heading to Royal Birkdale in 2026. The ticket ballot is already a hot topic, so if you want to be there to see if Scottie can repeat, you'll need to move fast.
The 2025 Open was a reminder that while golf is a game of luck and bounces, true greatness usually finds a way to the top. Scottie Scheffler didn't just win the Open Championship; he made it look easy. And that is the scariest thing for everyone else on the PGA Tour.
To prepare for next year, start tracking the DP World Tour results early in the season, as those coastal tournaments are often the best predictors of who will handle the wind at Birkdale.