Scottie Scheffler’s Wild Drop at The Open

Jordan Spieth’s 2017 Echo

Nine years after Jordan Spieth’s dramatic scramble on the 13th at Royal Birkdale, Scottie Scheffler faced his own bizarre mishap on the same Southport links during Sunday’s final round of the 154th Open. While Spieth turned a shaky position into a memorable birdie, Scheffler’s day was marked by a ball that vanished into a dune left of the fairway. The contrast highlights how quickly the drama of links golf can shift from triumph to bewilderment.

Scheffler managed to birdie the par‑5 17th after receiving relief from a hospitality area, keeping his Claret Jug defense alive. He posted a 3‑under 67 to finish the week at 7‑under, yet lagged two strokes behind clubhouse leader Cameron Young. The round showcased both his resilience and the unpredictable nature of coastal courses.

Scheffler’s Tumultuous Round

After birdieing three of his opening five holes—each putt from inside five feet—Scheffler quickly moved into contention. A 12‑foot birdie at the 16th erased his bogey at the 13th, but the 17th became a turning point when his 3‑wood struck a massive dune. “Why? Why?!” Scheffler could be heard after the ball slipped left, a moment captured by Sky Sports’ Inci Mehmet.

Mehmet later described the lie as “about 100 yards left,” noting Scheffler’s inability to see the green. The Texan opted to play on, sliding his front foot and sending the ball well off‑target. A provisional was teed, but officials later ruled the original ball “virtually certain” to be in the hospitality zone, granting Scheffler a free drop at the point of entry.

Relief Rules and the Drop

Chief referee Mark Litton explained that because the ball was “virtually certain” to be inside the temporary immovable obstruction, Scheffler was entitled to relief without locating it. He dropped at the entry point and again for line‑of‑sight, eventually finding himself 97 yards from the hole. With a wedge in hand, he rolled in a 11‑foot putt for an improbable birdie, pulling within a shot of Young and Si Woo Kim.

Both Young and Kim slipped two spots behind when they each bogeyed holes 11 and 12, but Scheffler’s momentum stalled at the 18th. He missed the fairway to the right, then came up short and right of the green. A 10‑foot chip fell by the hole, yet the comebacker failed, sealing a closing bogey.

Final Hole and Aftermath

Despite the missed opportunity, Scheffler reflected on his fight throughout the day. “I was proud of how I fought today,” he said, “obviously wish I got a little more out of it, but I did my best.” He finished the tournament at 7‑under, two strokes shy of the lead held by Cameron Young.

The episode adds another quirky footnote to the long tradition of the Open’s rugged challenges, echoing earlier classic moments like Jordan Spieth’s 2017 heroics. As Scheffler packed his bags, the memory of a ball lost in a dune will likely linger long after the Claret Jug stays on Young’s shelf.