Scottie Scheffler’s Open Chances: Did That Missed Cut Actually Matter?

Alright, let’s talk golf. Specifically, let’s talk about Scottie Scheffler. The guy misses a cut at the Genesis Scottish Open, and suddenly the world’s losing its damn mind. Longest made-cut streak ever? Gone. Poof. And now, The Open Championship is staring him down at Royal Birkdale. So, the big question is: are we panicking about his chances, or is this just a blip on the radar? Some folks are already writing him off, others are saying it’s the best thing that could happen. Let’s dive in.

The “Sky is Falling” Crowd vs. The “Chill Out” Crew

Look, missing a cut is never ideal, especially for a guy like Scheffler who’s basically been a picture of consistency. His streak was insane, nearly four years without hitting the links on a Friday afternoon. That’s not normal. But here’s the deal: he’s still the World Number 1. He’s still the guy everyone’s chasing. So, did that rough outing in Scotland really mean anything for his chances at Birkdale? Some people think it’s a sign of weakness. I think it’s more complicated than that. He’s been a hair off on approach shots this season compared to his otherworldly numbers last year. That’s the difference between being untouchable and just being, you know, really, really good. That little dip has allowed guys like Viktor Hovland to sneak past him when they’re playing their absolute best. But is he out of the running for The Open? Hell no.

The argument for buying Scheffler stock is pretty simple. He’s not going to play two bad tournaments in a row. That’s just not his style. This missed cut? It’s probably just going to fuel him. Think of it like a golfer’s equivalent of a bogey – a little nudge to get back on track. He’s still got that ‘B’ game, which is better than most guys’ ‘A’ game. Plus, he’s got a couple of extra days to get to Royal Birkdale, get dialed in, and shake off whatever was off in Scotland. Remember this time last year? Everyone was freaking out about his putting. What happened next? He won at Portrush. So, yeah, I’m holding onto my Scheffler Open stock. I’d be absolutely stunned if he wasn’t in the mix come Sunday.

Beyond Scheffler: Who Else is Generating Buzz?

Okay, so Scheffler’s situation is a big storyline. But The Open is always loaded with them. What’s the real juice this year? Forget the obvious guys for a second. Yeah, Tommy Fleetwood is the hometown hero, and Jordan Spieth is always a threat, but the real narrative for me? It’s Rory McIlroy. At 37, he’s really changed his approach. Less is more. He’s playing the tournaments he wants, focusing on the majors. He’s only got one Claret Jug, and honestly, he should have two. Cam Smith kinda stole one from him. Rory’s been one of the best Open players for two decades, and it would feel… off… if he didn’t snag another. He’s been fresh, played well in Scotland outside of one rough round. With Scottie “struggling,” this feels like a golden chance for Rory to add another major. He doesn’t have infinite chances left.

Then you’ve got Fleetwood. The kid from Southport, playing The Open in his backyard. How can that NOT be the story? He’s been playing great, moving up the world rankings. But here’s the kicker: he hasn’t cracked a major top 10 in two years. Is his window closing at 35, or is it just opening? Some think his peak major window slams shut around 37 or 38. He’s been playing at a top-8 level for three years straight, so the signs of a closing door aren’t exactly screaming at us yet. But with every major opportunity that slips by, that window does look a little tighter, doesn’t it? The hometown pressure is a double-edged sword. Can Fleetwood handle being the lone guy in the spotlight trying to win a stroke play major? He seems more comfortable in team events. It’ll be interesting to see how that plays out.

The “Best Player Without a Major” Debate

This is always a fun one. Who’s the best golfer out there who hasn’t hoisted a major trophy yet? It’s a tough call. Some lean towards Viktor Hovland, and he’s definitely up there. But for my money, it’s Cameron Young. This guy’s had a hell of a year. Won The Players. Was leading The Masters on Sunday. He’s No. 3 in the world and has seriously leveled up. I wouldn’t be shocked at all if he walks away from Birkdale with the Claret Jug and finally gets his name off that list. He’s come agonizingly close in several majors already. He’s the reigning Player’s Champion, and he’s shown he can contend.

Others argue it’s still Tommy Fleetwood. He’s been doing it at this elite level for longer than Young. But if we’re talking pure talent, the most gifted non-major winner? I’d throw Ludvig Aberg’s name into the hat. Kid’s got serious game. He’s making waves fast. It’s going to be fascinating to see who, if anyone, breaks through this week.

Who’s Feeling the Heat the Most?

It’s the last men’s major of the season. That means pressure. Who’s feeling it the most? My gut always goes to Jon Rahm. Ever since he jumped to LIV, we’ve seen less of him head-to-head with the PGA Tour’s best. He’s contended in a couple of PGAs since the move, but it’s not the same. With LIV’s future looking uncertain, and Rahm’s own path a bit murky, he needs to bring his A-game to The Open. A third major would be massive for him right now. It’s not just about the trophy; it’s about solidifying his legacy.

And then, of course, there’s Scheffler again. On one hand, he never looks rattled. He’s too grounded for that. But coming off a rare missed cut, as the defending champion, at the final major of a season that, by his own stratospheric standards, has been a little disappointing? Yeah, this one’s got to feel a bit bigger. The pressure to perform, to silence the doubters, to prove that Scotland was just a fluke – it’s immense. And what about Fleetwood? Walking onto that first tee at Birkdale as the hometown hero? That’s a whole different level of pressure. It’s the kind of thing that can either propel you or crush you. We won’t see that kind of buildup again until Shane Lowry plays the first tee shot at the 2027 Ryder Cup in Adare Manor. That’s a story that’s been building for years.

The Missed Cut Surprise: Scheffler or Korda?

So, what was the bigger shocker? Scottie Scheffler missing the cut at the Genesis, or Nelly Korda doing the same at the Evian Championship? Nelly had been on an absolute tear. Before that Evian miss, she hadn’t finished worse than T8 in nine individual stroke-play events, with four wins and three runner-up finishes. That’s dominance. A missed cut just wasn’t in the cards. She’s had a bit of a shaky history at the Evian, but still, you expected her to be right there.

But for me, it’s Scheffler. The guy had been on a streak of 37 straight top-25 finishes. That’s mind-blowing. As Jon Rahm himself said, it wasn’t just the cuts made that were astonishing; it was that every single time he played, he looked like he had a chance to win. That’s a level of consistency that’s almost unfathomable. Seeing that look of sheer confusion on his face Friday afternoon after the Scottish Open… yeah, that was the more surprising one. It just goes to show, even the best can have an off week. And sometimes, links golf with a bit of wind can be a brutal equalizer when you’re not playing your absolute best.

The Open Championship is always a wild ride. You’ve got the history, the challenging courses, and the pressure cooker of major championship golf. Whether it’s Scheffler trying to bounce back, Rory chasing another Claret Jug, or Fleetwood aiming for a fairytale home win, this week promises to deliver plenty of drama. Keep your eyes on Royal Birkdale; you never know what’s going to happen.