Rory McIlroy came up short in his quest to win his home Open Championship as Scottie Scheffler’s masterful performance sealed another major for the world number one.
McIlroy had a very good week to finish T7 at -10 and once again show he is up to the task of competing at the highest level.
However, on this occasion – and as we’ve seen before – Scheffler was simply too good.
Scheffler’s imperious form looks ominous for the rest of the PGA Tour season and even going into 2026, players must be wondering how they can stop him.
Still, he is also there as an inspiration and according to former major winner Rich Beem, Scheffler’s brilliance might only serve to help Rory McIlroy even more.
Scottie Scheffler could help Rory McIlroy get even better
The OWGR doesn’t lie and right now, Scottie and Rory are the two best players in the world.
On their day, they beat anyone and at some point we are going to see them going head to head in a PGA Tour event or even a major.
McIlroy has spoken of his admiration for Scheffler in the past and according to Rich Beem, the Northern Irishman may well use Scheffler to improve himself further.
“I think what Scottie is going to do to Rory is that he is going to make him focus about what am I deficient at? Where am I not at my absolute best and how can I get a little bit better?,” Beem suggested on Sky Sports.
“Rory has alluded to the fact that watching Scottie and seeing what he does has spurred him on a little bit. I think this off season Rory is going to take stock of exactly what happened this year and go where do I need to get better. Take a look at some numbers, his consistency with the driver or if it’s even from 150 yards in and think how can I get better.
“Rory has all the talent on the planet so it doesn’t take long, maybe just a small way to attack a golf course. It might lead to bigger gains.”
Scottie Scheffler’s putting the big difference at Royal Portrush
Most weeks on the PGA Tour, players are hoping that Scottie Scheffler putts somewhere in the poor to medium range. If he does that, then he might be in contention but won’t run away with it.
However, at The Open, Scheffler’s putter caught fire – especially in round three – and it saved him countless shots over the tournament.
When Scheffler is making putts as he was this weekend, it’s pretty much impossible to stop him, even for someone as good as Rory McIlroy.
McIlroy, of course, is a fine putter himself when he gets it going and he made a number of big ones in front of his home fans.
The problem was it just wasn’t enough as Scheffler once again proved just why he’s world number one.
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