Entertainment
How ‘Tiger-like’ Scheffler is conquering golf
As Scottie Scheffler steamrolled his way to the Claret Jug, there was another name which kept being mentioned in the discourse surrounding his impending Open victory.
Tiger Woods. Remember him?
Scheffler’s peers regularly referred to Woods when they came off the Royal Portrush course on Sunday. So too did the television and radio commentators analysing the action.
The comparisons between the current world number one and 15-time major champion Woods – the pre-eminent superstar who elevated golf to a new stratosphere in the late 1990s and early 2000s – continued in the aftermath of Scheffler’s fourth major title.
An eye-catching statistic further fuelled the frenzy. Exactly 1,197 days had passed between each player’s first major win to their fourth.
Scheffler’s response to the parallels being drawn? “I still think they’re a bit silly,” he said.
“I just got one-fourth of the way there. I think Tiger stands alone in the game of golf.”
One thing is undebatable. Scheffler is conquering the men’s game like nobody since Woods in his pomp.
Here, BBC Sport analyses how the 29-year-old American is doing it.
Creating a ‘Tiger-like’ dominance
The first sign of Scheffler’s special qualities came at the 2021 Ryder Cup.
Questions had been raised about the young American being picked as a Whistling Straits wildcard, but the manner in which he bossed European talisman Jon Rahm in the Sunday singles – putting the hosts on the path to a rare routine win – was a sign of things to come.
In the four seasons since, Scheffler has won four of the 16 majors – the 2022 and 2024 Masters, plus this year’s US PGA Championship and Open – and earned a further eight top-10 finishes.
Throw in 13 PGA Tour victories, along with the Olympic gold medal at Paris 2024, and it is clear why he is the undisputed world number one.
“Scottie is the bar that we’re all trying to get to,” said world number two Rory McIlroy.
“You could argue there’s only maybe two or three players in the history of the game that have been on a run like the one that Scottie’s been for the past 24 to 36 months.”
One of those players is – obviously – Woods.
By securing victory at Portrush, Scheffler became only the second player to win The Open while world number one. The first was Woods, who did it three times in 2000, 2005 and 2006.
Scheffler’s machine-like ability, which is apparent even when he does not seem to be playing at his peak, is similar to his fellow American.
It is little wonder several of his peers have described Scheffler this week as being “Tiger-like”.
“I don’t think we thought the golfing world would see someone as dominant as Tiger come through so soon and here’s Scottie taking that throne,” said 2024 Open champion Xander Schauffele.
“He’s a tough man to beat, and when you see his name up on the leaderboard, it sucks for us.”
For some, the parallels between Scheffler and Woods – who has claimed a joint record 82 PGA Tour victories – might feel premature.
Scheffler has a long way to go to match the longevity of his compatriot, whose major triumphs stretched from 1997 to 2019.
But the comparisons continue to persist because of the way Scheffler imperiously tears through fields like Woods, whose masterpiece 2000 season is regarded as one of the best ever, did in his pomp.
At Portrush, there was a sense of inevitability about the outcome once Scheffler moved four shots ahead after Saturday’s third round.
His unerring consistency and ruthless ability to close out victories is what sets him apart from the rest.
It was the 10th tournament in a row Scheffler had converted an outright 54-hole lead, although he is way short of matching the 37 consecutive times which Woods did it.
“Back in the day that’s what separated Tiger,” said English former world number one Justin Rose.
“You get a lot of guys leading tournaments and typically it is hard to close out, but Scottie and Tiger are able to put these tournaments away better than most.
“That’s how you are judged at the end of the day.”
Staying emotionless in the heat of battle
Scheffler’s emotionless expression as he patiently and precisely carved up the Dunluce Links was a far cry from the energy often shown by Woods.
On a final Sunday lacking any sort of jeopardy, one of the most colourful moments came on the sixth green. There was a rare flicker of emotion from Scheffler.
A vigorous pump of the fist signalled his pleasure at dropping one of several par-saving putts on his way to glory.
Those who demand high-octane energy from their sporting stars were disappointed. But Scheffler’s calm demeanour is exactly why he is so successful.
“He doesn’t care to be a superstar. He’s not transcending the game like Tiger did,” said Jordan Spieth, who a decade ago was being compared to Woods after winning three majors and finishing runner-up in two others between 2015-17.
“I think it’s more so the difference in personality from any other superstar that you’ve seen in the modern era and maybe in any sport.
“I don’t think anybody is like him.”
While Scheffler’s mind is mechanical, his technique is not.
His unorthodox footwork looks clumsy at times and is another reason – according to Ireland’s Shane Lowry – why many do not consider him in the same breath as Woods.
“If Scottie’s feet stayed stable and his swing looked like Adam Scott’s, we’d be talking about him in the same words as Tiger,” said Lowry, who won his solitary major at Royal Portrush in 2019.
“I think because it doesn’t look so perfect, we don’t talk about him like that.
“I think he’s just incredible to watch, and his bad shots are really good. That’s when you know he’s really good.”
Express Sport brings you the latest tennis news from the Paris Masters.
We’re reaching the business end of the Paris Masters, as eight players become four in the French capital. Jannik Sinner is the overwhelming favourite to lift the trophy after Carlos Alcaraz was dumped out by Cameron Norrie in the Spaniard’s opening match. Norrie was then beaten by Valentin Vacherot, whose amazing 10-match winning streak at Masters 1000 level came to an end when he lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Canadian star Auger-Aliassime will face Alexander Bublik in the semis. Bublik defeated Alex de Minaur, who is among those to have already qualified for the year-end ATP Finals. Sinner is through to his first Paris Masters semi-final after beating Ben Shelton. He’ll face defending champion Alexander Zverev, who survived a tough match against Daniil Medvedev.
Novak Djokovic is not involved in the Paris Masters, having decided to skip the event for the second year in a row, but he has learned his fate in the draw of next week’s ATP 250 in Athens. And over in Riyadh, the WTA Finals are about to get underway.
Tennis star Taylor Townsend is proving once again that strength and beauty are not opposites — they’re a perfect match. In her latest series of photos, the American powerhouse effortlessly blends athletic grace with unapologetic confidence, reminding the world that true power shines brightest when it comes from within.
The photos, which quickly captured fans’ attention online, showcase Taylor in a radiant light — bold, self-assured, and glowing with the poise of a woman who knows exactly who she is. Whether dressed in sleek athletic wear or elegant casual fits, her energy commands attention — not just because of her style, but because of her authenticity and self-belief.
Townsend, who has long been admired for her resilience on and off the court, has redefined what it means to be an athlete in today’s world. As a professional tennis player, mother, and advocate for self-acceptance, she continues to inspire millions who see themselves reflected in her journey — a story of perseverance, pride, and power.
In a recent interview, Taylor reflected on her evolution, saying:
“Confidence doesn’t come from fitting in. It comes from standing tall in your truth — from knowing your worth even when others don’t see it yet.”
That message resonates deeply with fans, who flooded social media with words of admiration. One comment summed it up perfectly: “Taylor Townsend is what strength looks like — beautiful, real, and unstoppable.”
Her latest photos aren’t just a showcase of style — they’re a celebration of self-love and strength, a reminder that confidence is the most powerful accessory anyone can wear. 🌟
Taylor Townsend isn’t just winning matches — she’s winning hearts, redefining what greatness looks like, one stunning moment at a time. 💖🎾
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