Scottie Scheffler is sitting five shots clear of Matt Fitzpatrick heading into the final round of The Open Championship on Sunday.
Scheffler and Fitzpatrick played together in the final group at Royal Portrush on day three of The Open, and it was the American who separated himself from the rest of the field with a bogey-free round of 67.
The Englishman carded a somewhat disappointing even-par 71, and he has a lot of work to do on Sunday, if he is to have any chance of winning the Claret Jug.
Fitzpatrick was looking forward to playing with Scheffler at The Open on Saturday, but it was the 29-year-old who came out on top in the end.
Scheffler winning The Open would be a huge landmark in his career to date. He would then just need the US Open trophy to complete the Grand Slam.
However, another major turning point in Scheffler’s career happened at the back end of the 2023 season.
Matt Fitzpatrick says what Scottie Scheffler has done is ‘annoying’
Fitzpatrick was made to look ordinary, as the robotic Scheffler picked apart Royal Portrush on Saturday.
So what is the big difference between both of their games?
Fitzpatrick was asked what makes Scheffler so good.
The Englishman said: “He’s just not missed a putt today, there isn’t one putt that he’s missed. That’s the difference that has taken him to this unbeatable run, which is annoying for me that Phil Kenyon has shared those secrets (laughter).“
In fairness to Scheffler, his game is about far more than just solid putting. He’s the best ball-striker on the planet, and his short game is exceptional as well.
And despite the American’s stunning performance on the greens on day three of The Open, he did miss a few putts as well.
Scheffler began working with Phil Kenyon at the end of 2023, after Viktor Hovland comfortably beat him to the FedEx Cup trophy.
And the American has amazingly gone from 162nd in strokes gained putting at the end of 2023 to inside the top 20 in 2025.
What a remarkable turnaround that is from Scheffler, and one that he has obviously worked very hard to achieve.
Matt Fitzpatrick wants Scottie Scheffler blow-up on Sunday at The Open
Fitzpatrick will be playing in the penultimate group on Sunday alongside Rory McIlroy, as both players attempt to chase down the world number one.
So is there any chance that Scheffler could come back towards the field in the final round?
He was asked what he’s expecting to see from the 29-year-old on Sunday at Portrush.
Fitzpatrick said: “Hopefully a blow-up. Let’s be honest. I don’t really care. I just want him to not play as well as me obviously.“
That honesty is refreshing to hear from the 30-year-old Englishman.
Most of the time, players will wax lyrical about each other, but Fitzpatrick has made it very clear that he wants Scheffler to mess up his final round at The Open on Sunday.
He’s clearly very ambitious and wants to win at all costs, which is not a bad thing at all in elite level sport by the way.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
