Nature shapes The Open but legends shape history. And, after he dominated the field to become Champion Golfer of the Year, there is no doubting that Scottie Scheffler has joined the all-time greats.

The American realised his dream to win the 153rd Open with a performance that will live long in the memory for its relentlessness, its efficiency and its immense skill. Scheffler did not just win at Royal Portrush. He almost lapped the field, with a four-shot margin of victory that felt like even more.

Sundays at The Open are supposed to be filled with tension, drama and second-guessing to the very end but Scheffler’s brilliance ensured this was a victory march to the Claret Jug on a warm and still Sunday on the Antrim coast.

All anyone could do was doff the cap and acknowledge the performance. Links golf might be forged by nature but, at this great Championship, Scheffler played golf that is forged from the gods.

The Texan now adds the Claret Jug to his two Masters titles and the PGA Championship he won in May, leaving just the US Open to complete the career Grand Slam. Next year, the final day of the US Open will fall on his 30th birthday.

He is just the second world No.1 to win The Open since the Official World Golf Ranking started in 1986, joining Tiger Woods. And when a statistic comprises of just Woods and one other, it tells you all you need to know. Indeed, this victory was Woods-esque.

In his pomp, the great Tiger made winning an artform to the extent that whenever he held a 54-hole lead, the rest of the field knew they were playing for second place. In what his contemporaries will hope is just a coincidence and not an omen, Scheffler’s fourth major title comes 1,197 days after his first – the exact same as Woods. Tiger won 15.

At The Open, the chasing pack threw all they had at this brilliant course in the desperate hunt for birdies – clinging to the hope that they might make it close. But they were never getting near Scheffler.

Harris English, Chris Gotterup and Wyndham Clark, along with Haotong Li, Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick all – at one time or another – looked set to make a charge. But Scheffler charged with them. Had he gone round in level-par, it would have been tense, but anyone who watched him record scores of 68-64-67 in the first three days knew that was never likely.

With four birdies on the front nine and another on the back, Scheffler crushed any chance they had. The Texan is a different character to Woods, who is a three-time Champion Golfer, but his trophy cabinet is growing almost as quickly. Golf has seen his likes before, a player so dominant that winning is almost second nature. But Scheffler’s ability, creativity and talent makes it a joy to watch regardless.

With a four-shot overnight lead, Scheffler arrived with the Claret Jug in his sights. But nerves can do funny things, and winning The Open is rarely straightforward – even for the greats.

Yet Scheffler was unperturbed on a calm day made for low scoring around, and indeed just wanted in on the fun. He arrowed his tee shot down the heart of the 1st fairway and followed up with a 9-iron that was as much a statement as it was an approach shot. It finished just 16 inches from the hole, and the birdie putt was inevitable.