Xander Schauffele expressed how a “sense of calm” played a significant role in his victory at the British Open on Sunday, securing his second major title just two months after winning the PGA Championship.
The 30-year-old golfer from California delivered a flawless, zen-like final round of six-under-par at Royal Troon, emerging from a crowded leaderboard to claim the prestigious Claret Jug.
Schauffele finished the championship at nine-under par, two shots ahead of Justin Rose from England and Billy Horschel from the USA.
Following his major victory at the PGA at Valhalla in May with a record-breaking score of 21-under-par, Schauffele becomes the first player since Brooks Koepka in 2018 to win two majors in a single year.
This win in Scotland marks an American sweep of the year’s major titles in 2024.
“I thought that winning the PGA would give me some confidence and it certainly did. I felt a calmness that I didn’t have during the PGA,” said Schauffele.
He added, “I told my caddie Austin (Kaiser) that I felt calm as I approached the final stretch, while he mentioned feeling nervous. I just focused on hitting the shots and staying composed.”
Schauffele described winning the Open as a “dream come true” for him.
Starting the final 18 holes tied for second place with five others, one shot behind overnight leader Horschel, Schauffele maintained composure during the front nine and capitalized on the struggles of his competitors to secure the win.
He played superbly during the inward half while his challengers faltered, ultimately taking the victory with two shots to spare.
Moments after securing the championship, he reflected on his calm approach to the competition and expressed his joy at the win.
Lawrence, another top contender, had a one-shot lead at the turn but couldn’t maintain the momentum, settling for fourth place in the end.
– Scheffler, Rahm thwarted –
Rose, a former US Open champion, briefly shared the lead with Lawrence but ultimately finished tied for second with Horschel.
American Horschel finished strong with three consecutive birdies to secure his spot in second place alongside Rose.
Several other prominent golfers like Scheffler, Rahm, and McIlroy faced challenges throughout the tournament due to weather conditions and course difficulties.
The Open proved to be a tough test for many, with notable players missing the cut and failing to secure a top spot.
In the end, it was Schauffele who emerged victorious, capping off a remarkable season with his win at the British Open.
