It is difficult not to feel that Scottie Scheffler already has one hand on the Claret Jug after opening up a four-shot lead heading into the final round of The Open Championship on Sunday.
Scottie Scheffler seemed to make a statement with his second round at Royal Portrush, with the world number one putting himself one shot clear of Matthew Fitzpatrick at the top of the leaderboard.
The Englishman did not do a great deal wrong on Saturday in Northern Ireland. And yet, Scheffler was able to extend his lead ahead of the final 18 holes of the last major of the year.
Scheffler looked to be in complete control throughout the day. He did not make a single bogey, while he managed to make 15 pars as he posted a score of 67.
Rich Beem suggests what Scottie Scheffler is never going to do as he closes in on Open Championship glory
It appears inevitable that Scheffler will win his second major of the year. Meanwhile, he looks likely to move to within one win at the US Open away from completing the Career Grand Slam.
It is incredible just how effortless the 29-year-old makes everything look when he is playing well. And speaking on Sky Sports, Rich Beem outlined just how difficult it must be for some of the very best players in the world to compete with Scheffler when he is anywhere near the peak of his powers.
“Very boring but that is the exact kind of golf he produces. It’s never really exciting but he just goes out there and produces. Made two birdies and an eagle for a four under. He can just plot his way from point A to point B and never found his way into too much trouble,” he said.
“That is just how he is as a competitor, he is never going to get everyone super excited he is just going to stay flat line, vanilla, boring but it’s clinical. It is absolutely clinical.
“The confidence seems to get better each and every week he is out here. Even his bad weeks he is top 10. If it continues down this road we are going to have to, we are going to really force ourselves to talk about him and Tiger Woods in the same vein as right now it’s looking like they are in the same boat,” he added.
How many majors Tiger Woods needed to win four as Scottie Scheffler edges closer to winning at Royal Portrush
Obviously, it is difficult not to consider where Scheffler will rank among the all-time greats by the time his career comes to an end.
Unless something bizarre happens, he will have become a four-time major champion in only his 25th major start.
Tiger Woods meanwhile, reached the same number in 21 majors – 25 years ago at The Open Championship at St Andrews.
Scheffler has plenty to do before he is put in a similar category. But there is surely no question that he is well on his way to being put in the same conversation.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
