Scheffler vs McIlroy: The best vs the favourite

With just 18 holes left at Royal Portrush, there are still about six players with a realistic chance of winning. But on the final day of The Open 2025, there are only two players that the golf world will hold its breath watching: Rory McIlroy, quietly chasing Scottie Scheffler.

Not that the rest of the players aren't worthy. Matt Fitzpatrick has found his form. Haotong Li is still as tough as a warrior. Chris Gotterup showed last week's Scottish Open win wasn't a flash in the pan. Harris English is building momentum for a spot on the US Ryder Cup team. Xander Schauffele had an impressive title defense. And Tyrrell Hatton is a dangerous opponent on any court.

All were talented, all had character. But with the final 18 holes looming, fans had unconsciously relegated them to supporting roles, in a scenario where all eyes were on the two brightest stars: Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler.

Scottie Scheffler: The Cold Winning Machine

Scheffler deservedly topped the leaderboard after 54 holes after a top-notch and "Scheffler-esque" performance. He started round 3 1 stroke behind, but finished 4 strokes ahead of the next person. The highlight was a perfect approach to the flag at hole 7 (par 5) for an eagle, plus 2 birdies, no bogeys, and 15 pars, a nearly flawless performance.

Scheffler was playing astonishingly consistent golf, precise down to the millimetre, cool-headed down to the last shot. That was exactly what Portrush and the penultimate round required: no drama, no chaos, just absolute control.

Scheffler does not play to satisfy the audience's emotions, he plays golf to win. A true "surgeon" on the field, precise and efficient, completing the "operation" with a level of excellence that makes all difficulties seem to disappear in the eyes of the audience.

Since the beginning of 2024, Scheffler has won 11 tournaments, including 3 majors and 1 Olympic gold medal. This season, he leads the PGA Tour in most stroke-playing stats.

There were no dramatic comebacks or unbelievable shots, but that was the pinnacle. Boring golf, but worthy of championship.

Rory McIlroy: Fire burns from Portrush

If you're looking for emotion, watch Rory McIlroy, who plays as if his Northern Ireland home is on fire with every shot he takes.

The crowd followed Rory not only with expectation, but also with anxiety. They had not forgotten his collapse at Portrush in 2019, where the pressure of expectation crushed all hopes in the first round. Six years later, it was still Rory, still Portrush, but this time, they did not want history to repeat itself. They wanted him to be comfortable, to be himself.

And Rory responded. Birdie from a spectacular 35-foot putt on the first hole. Birdie again on the par-5 second. Then birdie on the fourth hole, one of the toughest holes on the course. A dream start.

But the story goes beyond the scores. At Portrush, people didn’t just cheer for Rory, they “lived” his emotions. They crowded every corner to follow him. Not to see a superstar, but to convey with their eyes: We are here. We see you.

Since winning The Masters, Rory's journey has been more confusing than joyful. But in his hometown of Portrush, there is no judgment, only love. Home is the only place that doesn't require Rory to win, just to be himself.

So when Rory’s highs began to wane, and all hope seemed lost with a bogey on the 11th, the crowd still swarmed him. And when he sank a 56-foot putt for an eagle on the 12th, Portrush erupted. It wasn’t just a shot, it was a moment. A testament to the faith, the desire, that an entire nation had placed in one man.

Whose glory is it?

For Scottie Scheffler, victory at Portrush would be his third major title, after The Masters and the PGA Championship, and the missing piece to his grand slam. But more importantly, it would be the undisputed confirmation of four years of near-unparalleled dominance, something golf hasn’t seen since the peak of Tiger Woods.

The victory would put to rest the long-standing debate about Scheffler's true limits, that he is not just a phenomenon of this generation, but perhaps an all-time legend.

For Rory McIlroy, victory is not just about a sixth major title or a second Claret Jug, but more importantly about the spirit. He is carrying the expectations of an entire country on his shoulders, a weight that few athletes have ever felt, much less been able to overcome. The price of that expectation, McIlroy had to pay with defeat, with hurt, and with the painful memories of Portrush in 2019. But if glory returns, it will not just be a victory, but a release, a healing return.

But the final day is not a matter of fate, and the title is not awarded to those who wait for luck. The final 18 holes at Royal Portrush are not decided by emotion. They are reserved for those with absolute skill and steely resolve. Glory will be awarded to the most deserving, and it will be up to Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy to decide that.