The Open Championship at Royal Troon showcased some truly exceptional golf, with Xander Schauffele delivering a performance that made him a worthy champion.
This year’s tournament featured an unusually high number of players in contention for the Claret Jug on the final day. The challenging conditions earlier in the week gave way to a perfect golfing day on Sunday, providing a fitting backdrop for the climax of the championship.
Although Schauffele struggled with his putting during the first two rounds, he was in full command by Sunday. His flawless 65, free of bogeys, ensured a comfortable victory. When a player is in such form, their capabilities with a golf ball are truly impressive.
Justin Rose finished an admirable second, just two shots behind Schauffele. Rose’s performance was particularly remarkable given his need to qualify just to compete this year.
South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence also had an impressive week, ending in fourth place. He briefly led on Sunday but was undone by a bogey at the 12th hole as Schauffele surged ahead.
Dan Brown played excellently but fell just short of the lead after a challenging finish to Saturday’s round. Along with fellow Englishman Matthew Jordan, he finished in the top 10, securing a spot for next year’s tournament.
Shane Lowry, pursuing a second Open title five years after his first, had a strong showing but faced a tough finish on Saturday, ultimately placing sixth.
Other notable performances included Billy Horschell, who birdied the last three holes to tie for second with Rose, and Jon Rahm. Adam Scott, at 44, also secured a top-10 finish. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler had an odd final day, falling back from contention despite his earlier efforts.
Schauffele’s triumph is especially significant as it positions him as a serious contender among the best in the sport, including Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Jon Rahm. His victory marks a historic moment as Americans have now won all four men’s majors in a single year for the first time since 1982. Looking ahead, Schauffele is poised to challenge for the Career Grand Slam, a goal that seems well within his reach.
As the major season wraps up with a compressed schedule, fans will now have to wait eight months until the Masters. In the meantime, Schauffele will head to France to defend his Olympic title at Le Golf National. With his current form, it’s hard to bet against him claiming gold once more.
Sam Torrance OBE, a former Ryder Cup-winning captain and one of Europe’s most successful golfers, offers these insights. Follow him @torrancesam.
