When Scottie Scheffler showed up at Royal Portrush, there weren’t many questions about how he’d play. He’s already won a major this year and he needed this one to get one step closer to the career grand slam.
But there was one subtle change that separated this week from the last major he won. When you’re dealing with links golf, firm turf, and coastal winds, that one small move can make all the difference.
A driving iron vs. hybrid/fairway wood week
Earlier this week, we took a deeper look at how pros approach bag setup for The Open Championship. At most Tour stops, you might see a few tweaks, an extra wedge, a mini driver, maybe a loft adjustment. But at The Open, those small decisions suddenly carry more weight.
The question that came up repeatedly this week: driving iron or hybrid?
Some players wanted more height into firm, elevated greens. Others prioritized control and trajectory management. It’s not always an obvious answer.




























