Both have had outstanding 2025 campaigns, but over the last four days—despite The Open Championship serving as a homecoming for McIlroy in Northern Ireland—it was all Scheffler. The 29-year-old dominated his way to his first Open Championship title,

Rory McIlroy was supported by the home fans at Royal Portrush, but he was unable to challenge Scottie Scheffler as the American clinched The Open title

Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have been the dominant forces in golf over the past two years but the pair share a mutual respect and admiration for one another