The Sunday Pin Golf

The open in review 

The winner of the gold medal and the Champion Golfer of the year is Scottie Scheffler. 

With the conclusion of the 153^rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush, the major season for 2025 has come to an end. Who would have guessed that the world number one would cruise to a four-shot victory, his second major of the year, adding the claret jug to his ever-growing trophy cabinet? Scheffler now joins the group on four majors, and with that the third leg of the elusive Career Grand Slam. 

Scheffler completely annihilated the field this week. He appears unbeatable, and his stellar play appeared to breakdown his peers into a near state of surrender as they stoodaside and commentated on his brilliance on championship Sunday. On the back of Golfing immortality Rory McIlroy described Scheffler as the bar he is trying to reach,  though I must he is falling well short. Bryson DeChambeau who put on a near historic run over final three rounds, admitted Scheffler is in a different league, despite reminding everyone that he used to beat Scheffler in college – not sure why Bryson thinks that’s still relevant. Perhaps the most compelling insight came from Matt Fitzpatrick, who shared the final group with Scheffler on Saturday. Fitzpatrick called Scheffler “unbeatable” since taming the flatstick with the help of none other than Phil Kenyon, Fitzpatrick’s long time putting coach. Fitzpatrick joked that he wished Phil hadn’t revealed all his secrets to Scheffler… but he was only joking, right?

For the most part, the weekends golf was boring. Once Scottie ascended to the top of the leaderboard on Friday, there was a looming sense that the tournament was already over. In some ways, before the first tee shots were hit on Saturday morning, Scheffler’s Tuesday’s press conference had set the dampened tone. The writing was on the wall with no adverse weather conditions inbound, Scheffler with an almost detached demeanour would cruise to victory without passion or flare as if he wasn’t even trying. That’s what he does.

In true Rory fashion he arrived as a beacon of hope on Saturday morning, sporting the Tiger red. With birdies at one, two and four, it felt like maybe, just maybe we had a tournament on our hands. With the Island of Ireland at his back, and every spectator in Portrush behind him, he stood on the steps of greatness. But after failing to birdie the gettable par four fifth and par five seventh, the wind left his sails, and with it went the hopes and dreams of every Irish fan willing him over the line. Nonetheless, a top 10 finish in his home major was a huge improvement on his hellish week in 2019. He heads into the end of the season and more importantly the Ryder Cup at Bethpage with some momentum, some improved form and maybe a little bit of heartbreak.

The Open in Ireland 

The only story that rivalled Scheffler’s dominance this week was the widespread praise for Royal Portrush. Glowing reviews from players were echoed by media members, all singing from the same hymn sheet. I think it’s safe to say that Portrush secured its place in the modern Open rota.

Hosting the Open for the third time (1951 and 2023) the course presented a strong but fair test. With out of bounds lurking throughout the layout, the diagonal fairways of Royal Portrush put a premium on accuracy off the tee, made harder by the ever present crosswinds. Portrush is not your typical nine out and nine in links course. Add in the immaculate condition and stunning views of the North Atlantic, what’s not to love.

Irish eyes were smiling this week as the R&A Chairman addressed the ongoing discussions with Portmarnock Golf club and the Irish Government about potentially bringing golf’s oldest Championship to the Dublin links. The potential to have Portrush and Portmarnock on the modern Open rota would be huge for Irish golf, Irish crowds would undoubtedly turn up in their thousands to welcome the world’s best from across the pond to the Emerald Isle.

In other news

It was reported that European Ryder cup Captain Luke Donald signed an agreement with Team USA that would allow Keegan Bradely to assume the role of “Playing Captain” for the September match. Will Keegan play his first Ryder Cup since 2012 as they try to win back the Ryder cup trophy?

Written by:

A.J Murray

21/7/25

The Sunday Pin