The Open

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Dethroned Open champion Xander Schauffele has been reflecting on the dominance of Scottie Scheffler:

"He's incredible. He really is," Schauffele said after the world number one won The Open.

"I don't think we thought the golfing world would see someone as dominant as Tiger come through so soon, and here's Scottie sort of taking that throne of dominance. You can't even say he's on a run. He's just been killing it for over two years now.

"He's a tough man to beat, and when you see his name up on the leaderboard, it sucks for us."

Schauffele finished in a tie for seventh on his Open defence, wrapping up with a two-under 69 to close at 10 under par.

World number one Scottie Scheffler shoots a three-under-par 68 to win The Open by four shots at Royal Portrush.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist at Royal Portrush

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Shane Lowry says he would like the Open to return to Royal Portrush "next year" after an "incredible" week of support.

Irishman Lowry won the Open when it was last played in Northern Ireland in 2019 but could not replicate that success in this year's tournament.

Lowry said he would like to see the tournament return to Portrush and feels that Portmarnock would be "amazing" if the Open was to be played in the Republic of Ireland for the first time.

"The feedback from the players involved has been about how much they have loved this tournament and venue," he said on Portrush.

"As regards to Portmarnock, I've heard it might go there and it would be amazing as it's only 30 minutes from my house.

"I think it's one of the best golf courses in the world and it's good enough to host the Open. Hopefully it will soon."

It had been a frustrating week on the course for Lowry, who dropped out of contention and had to battle to make the cut after he was handed a two-stroke penalty for moving his ball on a practice swing.

That led the 38-year-old to say he wasn't a "cheat", and his then struggled further on Saturday with illness.

However, a closing 66 meant he left Royal Portrush with a smile on his face and he will turn his attention to the FedEx Cup play-offs and the Ryder Cup in New York in September.

"The crowds were amazing. They got behind me the whole day and it was probably one of the most enjoyable rounds of golf I've had in a while.

"I'll drive down the road a little bit happier than I would have been.

"It's still a week where I put a lot into it but didn't get a lot out of it. Onwards and upwards I suppose."

For almost 15 years it has been dubbed the most famous bench in golf.

Sitting proudly on the sixth tee at Royal Portrush, with views of the beach below and coast for miles either side, it has gone viral at this year's Open.

Some of the sport's biggest names - including Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm - have all been pictured resting up at the back end of the course.

The inscription reads: "Jim McDowell - from just a few of his many golfing friends to mark the occasion of his 70th birthday".

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Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

World number one Scottie Scheffler says he is "excited" for the challenge to win his first Open Championship on Sunday.

The American carded a third round 67 to go into the final round 14 under par and four shots clear of China's China's Li Haotong.

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Defending Open champion Xander Schauffele says he does not feel he is in contention to retain his title.

The two-time major champion eagled the seventh and twelfth in a third round of 66 that leaves him seven shots off leader Scottie Scheffler.

World number one Scheffler carded a bogey-free round of 67 to take a four-shot lead into the final day, with China's Li Haotong on 10 under and England's Matt Fitzpatrick one shot further back.

"I needed three more today to feel like I'm somewhere close enough to whatever Scheffler, Fitzpatrick or Li are going to post," Schauffele said.

"I'm so far back, but who knows with the weather and whatnot. I believe in myself and what I can do.

"Hopefully just try and shoot something and give myself a lot of opportunities."

The 31-year-old, who won last year's Open at Royal Troon, was happy to share the course with home favourite Rory McIlroy and his legions of supporters.

"I'm glad he's playing well for his home country," Schauffele said of McIlroy.

"It's what golf needs and entertainment is high. I was on the 17th tee when I heard the reaction to him at the 12th. I assumed it was eagle.

"I was pretty far away and it was very loud. It looks like he's enjoying it and it looks the like the fans are enjoying it too, which is great for this event."