In a masterclass of precision golf, Scottie Scheffler cemented his status as the world's best player with a commanding victory at The 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon. The American superstar carded a final-round 68 to finish four strokes clear of the field, claiming his second major title of 2024.
McIlroy's Major Misery Continues
Rory McIlroy's decade-long wait for a fifth major championship continues after the Northern Irishman faded dramatically over the weekend. Starting Sunday just three shots off the lead, McIlroy's challenge unraveled with a disastrous triple-bogey on the par-3 8th hole.
"It's incredibly frustrating," admitted McIlroy afterwards. "I felt my game was in a good place coming in, but that one swing on 8 just derailed everything."
Scheffler's Historic Season
The victory marks Scheffler's sixth win of an extraordinary season that has seen him:
- Win The Masters and The Open Championship
- Spend 28 consecutive weeks as world No. 1
- Earn over £15 million in prize money
"This is beyond my wildest dreams," Scheffler told reporters. "To win two majors in one year at courses as different as Augusta and Royal Troon shows the versatility of my game."
British Challenge Falters
Home hopes rested largely on Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton, but neither could mount a sustained challenge. Fleetwood's final-round 66 secured a top-10 finish, while Hatton's putting woes returned at the worst possible moment.
The championship wasn't without controversy as several players complained about the pace of play, particularly during Saturday's windy conditions which saw rounds approach six hours.
