Scottie Scheffler’s dominance continued at Royal Portrush, where he captured the 2025 Open Championship with a four-shot victory. The win added another major title to his growing résumé and strengthened his grip on the world No. 1 ranking.
However, the celebrations were met with an immediate challenge from one of his rivals. Matt Fitzpatrick, a former U.S. Open champion, made it clear after his strong performance that he is ready to end Scheffler’s winning streak.
“He’s an exceptional player, world number one, and we’re seeing Tiger‑like stuff from him,” Fitzpatrick said. “But the pressure is on him now. I’m going to take him down.”
The statement came after Fitzpatrick finished just a few shots back going into the weekend before Scheffler pulled away. It’s one of the boldest declarations yet from a player aiming to disrupt Scheffler’s run at the top.
Scheffler’s Response
Scheffler, as usual, kept his composure when asked about the comments. Rather than fire back, he focused on his own performance:
“I just try to stay in my own lane and play the best I can each week. That’s what works for me.”
Rivalry Brewing
With Fitzpatrick’s challenge and other contenders like Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele chasing him, Scheffler’s next tournaments could see even more intensity. Whether Fitzpatrick can back up his words remains to be seen, but the Open Championship may have sparked a rivalry that could shape the rest of the season.