As the third round at Royal Portrush unfolded, the golf world watched in awe as Scottie Scheffler further cemented his position atop the leaderboard, while Rory McIlroy and others conceded that the American standout’s dominance had become “inevitable.” On a sun-drenched day, Scheffler added a flawless 4-under-par 67 to his tally, reaching 14 under and extending his lead to four strokes. For the world No. 1, it was another demonstration of poise—bogey-free and precise, particularly through notoriously tough Par-3 Calamity Corner.
When asked about Scheffler’s relentless play, McIlroy, the local favorite, offered a blunt assessment: “It’s inevitable.” He acknowledged that even when Scheffler isn’t at his peak, his consistency and refusal to falter make him nearly untouchable. Despite firing a sterling 66, McIlroy trailed by six strokes, recognizing that catching Scheffler in his current form would be a monumental challenge.
Matt Fitzpatrick and Harris English echoed McIlroy’s sentiment, each offering reluctant admiration. Fitzpatrick noted the impressive baseline Scheffler had set and the difficulty of closing the gap, while English praised both his talent and tireless work ethic, calling him “unbelievable” and crediting Scheffler’s preparation and mental strength.
Bob MacIntyre weighed in with perspective rooted in stats: Scheffler is not only playing like the best in the world—he is measurable evidence of excellence. MacIntyre pointed out that the statistical margin between Scheffler and his nearest rival was staggering, reinforcing why his lead felt insurmountable.
But it wasn’t only peers who were captivated. The electric atmosphere generated by McIlroy resonated across the course, with fans rallying behind the Ulsterman. Despite Scheffler’s perfection, McIlroy’s flair and flair-inducing antics—highlighted by an eagle putt and a bizarre buried-ball incident—dominated the narrative of the day. His 66 provided drama and local passion, but as many admitted, it likely wouldn’t be enough.
Still, beneath the talk of inevitability, a whisper of sport’s enduring hope remains. The final round at Portrush could yet hold surprises—pressure can affect even the most disciplined competitor, and conditions could shift. But all signs point toward Scheffler completing his fourth major in four years, bolstering his staggering record of leading the final round nine times successfully.
As Scheffler prepares for Sunday with the Claret Jug within his sights, McIlroy and company will have to harness their best. For now, though, they commend Scheffler’s mastery—calling him inevitable, a force of nature, and the player to beat. In golf’s unforgiving theatre, “inevitable” has become the quiet consensus—and perhaps the loudest compliment of all.
