Scottie Scheffler opened his quest for the Claret Jug with a gritty 3-under 68 at Royal Troon on Thursday, overcoming a challenging day off the tee to stay within striking distance of the early leaders. Despite hitting just three of 14 fairways, the world’s top-ranked golfer relied on sharp iron play and a steady putter to navigate gusty winds and demanding conditions in the opening round of the 2025 Open Championship.
Scheffler admitted his driving wasn’t up to his usual standard but credited his ability to scramble and stay composed for salvaging the round. He recorded four birdies and just one bogey, displaying the kind of resilience that’s defined his stellar season. After finishing his round, Scheffler headed straight to the practice range to work on his driver, determined to tighten things up before Friday. With his short game looking dialed in, he remains firmly in contention heading into the second round.
