If golf has taught us anything, it is that four strokes is not enough of an advantage going into a final day of the British Open, although it is true that if the leader is Scottie Scheffler and he signs 67 strokes on a Saturday, this difference of four may be enough. Especially when the world number one’s game is close to excellence. The most solid player since Tiger Woods is on his way to his first Claret Jug, although it is true that behind him are players who are very plugged in and reliable, especially Rory McIlroy, who was on fire on Saturday. The Northern Irishman put on the magic and got the crowd going. He even experienced a very strange moment on the 11th hole when when hitting his ball from the rough he lifted another that seemed to be half buried.
Rory, whose start was brutal with three birdies in four holes, will need some help from Scottie, as his comeback has to be six strokes. The home player, who won his first and only Open Championship in 2014 and came close to winning the St. Andrews Open in 2022, experienced a moment of momentum with an eagle on the 12th hole just after the bizarre 11th hole that ended in bogey. It is a week of pressure for the world number two in front of his home crowd and he can say that he is going from strength to strength in the tournament, so he can afford to dream. Despite everything, he admitted to enjoying it as much as the crowd. About his great rival, he was clear: “He doesn’t seem to have any weaknesses. Whenever you try to make up shots with someone like that, it’s difficult,” McIlroy said of Scheffler at the end.
In fact, everything will depend on what Scottie, this year’s PGA Championship winner, does, who even made some committed putts for par like the one on the 14th. He finished clean of bogeys and also signed an eagle, on a hole 5 (par 5) that he played with a line. More than his victories, what impresses is his solidity playing. He can make mistakes, like anyone else, but he does everything right. He has led nine tournaments after 54 holes and won them all, so he is somewhat reliable. The other day he commented in the press room that the high of a victory lasts about two minutes and then life goes on. “Why am I so eager to win the Open? I don’t know, because if I win, it will be great for two minutes,” he said. It would be his first British and probably if he achieves this triumph it will not be just a few minutes.
After sealing his 67, the three-time major winner spoke about what lies ahead on the final day: “I’m excited about the challenge tomorrow. Winning majors is not easy, and I’ve positioned myself well,” he said. “I’m going to step up to the first tee and try to get the ball in the fairway, and when I get to the second shot I’ll try to get it on the green. There’s not much else to do,” he explained pragmatically.
Rivals will not be lacking despite his overwhelming dominance, although Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia unfortunately do not enter this equation. In the fight there are established players in a state of grace such as Haotong Li, Matt Fitzpatrick or Tyrrell Hatton. Even Gotterub, who won the Scottish Open a few days ago. Chinese Li has only committed three bogeys in the whole tournament, a spectacular statistic. The bogey on the 18th was a pity for the fight that he will have to fight this Sunday. Fitzpatrick was out of tune with the driver, although moments like the eagle on the 2nd hole keep him going, as he did not manage to play under par. Although out of the fight, special mention for Lee Westwood, who made the second nine holes in 29 strokes (-6)
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