Rory McIlroy is now targeting the Claret Jug, the Open Championship trophy currently held by new champion Scottie Scheffler. With a significant points gap to close at 8.96, the Northern Irishman faces a daunting challenge in overtaking Scheffler.
McIlroy, ranked second-best globally, trails Scheffler by a substantial margin despite his impressive performance at Royal Portrush, where he finished seventh. The 36-year-old’s motivation had waned after winning the Masters and completing the career Grand Slam, but his Portrush experience rekindled his focus for the Open.
The world rankings confirm Scheffler’s supremacy in delivering under pressure, having won two majors this year and dominating golf with a second-round score of 64 at Royal Portrush. McIlroy remains the most likely to challenge Scheffler’s supremacy, drawing parallels with his own dominant form between June 2011 and August 2014.
Despite being an all-time great with six major titles, McIlroy still seeks to push himself and contribute to the Ryder Cup in September. With Olympic ambitions in mind for 2028, he acknowledges Scheffler’s remarkable achievements but believes his own execution and consistency can be a match for the American star.
With Matt Fitzpatrick’s strong showing at the Open suggesting that English players are rising through the ranks, McIlroy knows he must focus on his own performance to challenge Scheffler. “All I can do is focus on myself and try to play the best golf that I can,” he said.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/articles/cvg8d855nrzo