Posted July 21, 2025 in "Watts" In The Bag by Tom Brassell
Scottie Scheffler cemented his legacy as one of golf’s all-time greats by winning the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. The world No. 1 delivered a commanding performance, finishing at 17-under-par with a final-round 68 to claim the Claret Jug by four shots over runner-up Harris English. This victory marked Scheffler’s fourth major championship, his second of 2025, and positioned him as the fourth player in golf history—joining legends Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods—to win the Masters, PGA Championship, and Open Championship before age 30.
Scheffler’s triumph at Royal Portrush was a masterclass in precision, resilience, and strategic play. His bogey-free 67 on Saturday, featuring an eagle on the seventh, gave him a four-shot lead heading into the final round. Despite challenging conditions, including intermittent rain, Scheffler’s game remained unshaken, with his iron play and putting proving particularly exceptional. Below, we dive into the equipment that powered Scheffler’s historic win, showcasing the tools that helped him conquer the links of Royal Portrush.
Scheffler, a TaylorMade staff player since 2022, relies on a carefully curated bag that blends consistency with versatility. For the 2025 Open Championship, he made a notable adjustment to his setup, opting for a Srixon ZU85 3-iron over the TaylorMade Qi35 7-wood he used at the 2025 PGA Championship. This change proved pivotal in navigating the demanding fairways and rough of Royal Portrush. Here’s a detailed look at the clubs and ball that fueled his victory:
Scheffler’s driver of choice, the TaylorMade Qi10, was a cornerstone of his performance off the tee. With an 8-degree loft and a stiff Fujikura Ventus Black 7X shaft, this club offered the perfect balance of distance and control. The Qi10’s re-engineered 60X Carbon Twist Face provides a lighter, more efficient energy transfer, which Scheffler credited for its predictability and forgiveness. At Royal Portrush, he hit 35 of 56 fairways across the tournament, ranking high in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee. This driver, which he switched to after his previous one failed a USGA Characteristic Time test at the PGA Championship, was a game-changer.
Scheffler wielded a TaylorMade Qi10 3-wood with a 15-degree loft and a Fujikura Ventus Black 8X shaft. This club provided versatility for long approach shots and tee shots on tighter holes, allowing him to shape shots with precision. The Qi10’s design, praised for its forgiveness, helped Scheffler maintain control in the variable winds of Northern Ireland.
Scheffler’s iron play was a standout feature of his Open Championship performance, described as “incredible precision” by analysts. His Srixon ZU85 3- and 4-irons, equipped with Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Hybrid Prototype 10X shafts, offered the penetrating flight needed for links golf. The TaylorMade P7TW irons (5-PW), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts, delivered unmatched accuracy and consistency, allowing Scheffler to attack pins with confidence. These custom irons, co-designed with Tiger Woods, have been a mainstay in Scheffler’s bag since his early PGA Tour victories.
Scheffler’s short game was bolstered by his Titleist Vokey SM8 wedges in 50° and 56° lofts, paired with a Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto 60.5°-T wedge. Fitted with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 shafts, these wedges provided the spin and control necessary for navigating Royal Portrush’s tricky greens and bunkers. His ability to execute delicate chips and bunker shots was crucial in maintaining his lead.
Scheffler’s putting was a defining factor in his 2025 Open Championship win, with the TaylorMade Spider Tour X L-Neck putter playing a starring role. Since adopting this putter at the 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational, Scheffler has credited its patented alignment system for enhancing his green-reading accuracy. At Royal Portrush, his “magnificent” putting, as described by The Athletic, helped him convert key birdie opportunities and save pars under pressure.
Scheffler’s choice of the Titleist Pro V1 golf ball provided the consistent flight and spin needed for the windy conditions at Royal Portrush. This ball’s performance off the tee, on approach shots, and around the greens complemented his all-around game, contributing to his 13 birdies and one eagle over the tournament.
Scheffler’s journey to the 2025 Open Championship title was not without challenges. After missing the early part of the 2025 season due to a hand injury sustained while preparing Christmas dinner, he returned with a vengeance, winning the CJ Cup Byron Nelson and the PGA Championship earlier in the year. His Open Championship performance was highlighted by a second-round 64—his lowest score in a major championship—and a bogey-free third round that showcased his composure under pressure.
At Royal Portrush, Scheffler’s equipment choices reflected his meticulous approach to the game. The switch to the Srixon ZU85 3-iron for the Open, replacing the Qi35 7-wood, demonstrated his adaptability to the course’s demands. His TaylorMade Qi10 driver, fairway wood, and trusty P7TW irons and Vokey wedges gave him the tools to dominate a stacked field that included Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Haotong Li.
With the 2025 Open Championship victory, Scheffler is now just one U.S. Open title away from completing the career Grand Slam, a feat achieved by only five players in golf history. At 29, his dominance—marked by 16 PGA Tour wins, an Olympic Gold Medal, and four majors—puts him in rare company. As he continues to refine his game and equipment, the golf world eagerly awaits his pursuit of further greatness.
Congratulations to Scottie Scheffler, the 2025 Champion Golfer of the Year, for a performance that will be remembered as one of the finest in Open Championship history. His equipment, a blend of innovation and reliability, played a crucial role in etching his name on the Claret Jug.