Xander Schauffele Wins 2024 British Open at Royal Troon
Xander Schauffele broke his streak of major disappointments by winning the 2024 British Open at Royal Troon Golf Club. This victory marked his second major title of the year.
Xander Schauffele, who won the PGA Championship in May, shot a perfect final-round 5-under 66. This performance earned him his second major title of the year.
Schauffele’s victory at the 152nd British Open came with a two-shot lead over Justin Rose and Billy Horschel. He completed the tournament with a total score of 9-under 275. This win made Schauffele the first player since Brooks Koepka in 2018 to win two majors in one season.
On Sunday, Schauffele showed great skill and patience. Starting with five pars, he then made six birdies in his next 10 holes, including on the 11th, 13th, 14th, and 16th. His final round included four birdies on the back nine, which helped him secure his ninth career PGA Tour title.
The 30-year-old from San Diego had previously faced doubts about his ability to win a major, despite 12 top-10 finishes and six top-5s in his first 27 major starts. In 2018, Xander Schauffele tied for the lead heading into the final round of the Open Championship at Carnoustie. However, he faltered with a 2-over 72 and lost to Francesco Molinari.
Challenging conditions
This time, Schauffele proved he could close out a major win, even in challenging conditions. Throughout the week at Royal Troon, the weather was tough, with wind and rain making play difficult, especially on Saturday. However, Schauffele managed to stay consistent with rounds of 67-72-69, setting himself up for his final push on Sunday.
His victory also marked a notable achievement for American golfers. For the first time since 1982, Americans won all four majors in a single year. Additionally, Americans achieved back-to-back Open Championship wins for the first time since Tiger Woods did so in 2006-07.
Justin Rose, who had to go through final qualifying to make the field, put up a strong fight but fell short with a bogey on the 12th hole. Billy Horschel, the 54-hole leader, made a few mistakes early in his round, which cost him the lead despite a strong finish.
Xander schauffele’s win at the British Open, combined with his earlier PGA Championship victory, has cemented his status as one of the top golfers in the world and a rising star in the sport.