Only Open question: Who would finish second to Scottie?

There still was a question remaining Sunday when the Open Championship entered the final Round at Royal Portrush.

Who might finish second? Possibly, the quite unflappable guy named Haotong Li. Maybe the quite emotional guy named Rory McIlroy.

But as the tournament resumed, there was no question who would be the winner. 

Almost no question.

Scottie Scheffler, merely the number one golfer on the planet, held a 4-shot lead after Saturday’s third round, and not only had he won the previous nine tournaments when he was in front after 54 holes, but he also had taken two of the other three majors this year.

“Anytime you can keep a clean card around a major championship,” said Scheffler, who didn’t make a bogey. “You are going to be having a pretty good day.” Scheffler rarely has a bad day when he is playing, which is why he is number one in the rankings.

In this oldest and most historic of tournaments, he shot a 4-under par 67 Saturday, and was at 68-64-67–199. 

Li, the pro from China, who plays the DP World Tour, was at 203 after a 67. Third at 205 after a 66 was Matt Fitzpatrick, the Englishman, while McIlroy who also had a 66 was at 205 for the three rounds.

They tell us nothing is certain in golf, where you can gain or lose shots in an instant. Remember Arnold Palmer’s 4-shot lead in the 1966 US Open disappeared in 2 holes? And of course notoriously, Greg Norman blew a 6-shot lead in the 1996 Masters. 

Yet it’s difficult to believe Scheffler, who hits fairways with consistency and appears never to be rattled, would allow this one to get away. 

“I’m just trying to execute, not overthinking things,” Scheffler said. “I feel like I’ve been doing the right thing so far, and I’m looking forward to the challenge of (Sunday).” 

Li, 29, seems in his own world.  Asked if he was affected by the situation, Li all but yawned. “I think to play without expectations,” said Li. “Is kind of a good thing for me.”

There are plenty of expectations for McIlroy, who grew up in Northern Ireland not far from Portrush. His triumph in the Masters in April gave him victories in all four grand slam tournaments and made him more popular than ever, as hard as that is to imagine. 

His appearance at each hole Saturday brought a huge reception. 

“One of the coolest moments I’ve ever had on the golf course,” McIlroy said.

John Perry of England had a cool moment Saturday when he made so far the tournament’s only hole in one, knocking an 8-iron into the cup on the 192-yard 13th. He had a 67 and was at 213. That was exciting, even though the ending of the main event may be less so.

“Even when he doesn’t have his best stuff,” McIlroy said of Scheffler, “he’s become a complete player. Yeah, it’s going to be tough to catch him.” “But if I can get out (Sunday) and get off to a similar start to what I did today (three birdies in four holes) to get the crowd going…you never know.”

Sorry, Rory. When Scheffler is on a roll, you know.