Golf analysts have found themselves split over whether a significant performance gap has emerged between Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy after the American claimed The Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

Scheffler captured the Claret Jug with a commanding four-stroke victory at 17-under-par, securing his fourth major title.

Meanwhile, McIlroy could only manage a share of seventh place at 10-under despite enthusiastic backing from the Northern Irish crowds.

The contrasting fortunes have ignited disagreement amongst Sky Sports Golf podcast contributors about whether the 29-year-old American has established clear superiority over his rival.

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Rob Lee argued that McIlroy recognises the shift in their competitive dynamic.

"I think he's very conscious of it," Lee stated on the programme. "Rory, for a lot of us, most of us, on his day, the best player in the world."

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Lee went further, declaring: "If they're all on their day, Jon Rahm, everybody else, [Scheffler] is the best player in the world. So I'm now saying, on their day, Scottie Scheffler's the best player in the world."

His colleague Mark Roe firmly rejected this assessment. "I'm not buying this gulf. I'm not buying it, no," Roe countered.

Roe challenged whether the outcome would have been different had McIlroy performed at his peak.

"Do you think if Rory came this week - we've talked about his driving not being great - and played his absolute A-game and drove it the best he could... He shot 61 around there when he was 16," he said.

"I don't buy that. I think if Rory had come and played as good as he can play, I think he wins. I think he wins."

Richard Boxall offered a nuanced perspective on their hypothetical head-to-head encounters.

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"I'd say, if they played them in matchplay, I think Rory would win. If they played them in stroke play, I'd play Scheffler would win," he concluded.

McIlroy himself acknowledged Scheffler's dominance following his third round, describing the American as "inevitable" in comments to Sky Sports.

"Even when he doesn't have his best stuff, he's become a complete player. He's so good around the greens. He's improved so much with his putter," McIlroy said.

The 36-year-old Northern Irishman added: "He's playing like Scottie. I don't think it's a surprise.

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Rory McIlroy must raise his level if he wants to battle Scottie Scheffler for titles

"Everyone's seen the way he's played over the last two to three years. He's just so solid.

"He doesn't make mistakes... he's turned himself into a really consistent player, as well.

"There doesn't seem to be any weakness there. Whenever you're trying to chase down a guy like that, it's hard to do. But he's incredibly impressive."