Both have had outstanding 2025 campaigns, but over the last four days—despite The Open Championship serving as a homecoming for McIlroy in Northern Ireland—it was all Scheffler. The 29-year-old dominated his way to his first Open Championship title,

Scheffler earned his first Claret Jug by running away from the field over the weekend before winning by four shots. McIlroy finished tied for seventh, seven shots behind Scheffler. After his round he paid Scheffler the highest of praise, saying:

Scottie Scheffler continued his run of dominance on Sunday, winning the Open Championship by four strokes, his third major championship in the past two years and fourth overall.