Xander Schauffele Claims Second Major of 2024 with British Open Victory
Xander Schauffele’s year just keeps getting better. After starting 2024 as one of the top golfers without a major win, the 30-year-old Californian has now snagged not one but two major titles. His latest triumph? The prestigious British Open at Royal Troon, where he put on a flawless performance to secure his second major victory of the year.
Schauffele had already impressed the golf world in May by clinching the PGA Championship in a fierce shootout. Now, he’s proved his mettle once more with a gutsy, bogey-free final round of 65 at the 152nd British Open. His total score of 9-under 275 edged out England’s Justin Rose and fellow American Billy Horschel by two shots.
The final day at Royal Troon was a nail-biter, with 12 players within four shots of the lead. South African Thriston Lawrence made an early charge, birdieing four of his first nine holes. However, a bogey on the 12th hole cost him the lead. Schauffele seized this opportunity, moving to 7-under with a crucial birdie on the 14th hole. He then sealed the deal with another birdie on the 16th, wrapping up his round with an impressive back-nine score of 31.
Schauffele’s round was not only bogey-free but also the lowest of the week at the par-71 course. His exceptional performance included being the only player on Sunday to birdie the notoriously tough par-4 11th hole, which runs alongside a railway.
This victory marks an American sweep of the major championships in 2024. Scottie Scheffler kicked off the year with a win at the Masters, followed by Schauffele at the PGA, Bryson DeChambeau at the U.S. Open, and now Schauffele again at the British Open. The last time Americans dominated all four majors in a single year was 1982.
Schauffele also made history by becoming the first player since Rory McIlroy in 2014 to win both the PGA Championship and the British Open in the same year.
On Sunday, other contenders couldn’t keep up with Schauffele’s pace. Billy Horschel, who led after Saturday, stumbled with bogeys on the 8th and 10th holes. Despite rallying with birdies on the last three holes, he ended up tied for second at 7-under. Justin Rose, at 43, finished strong with a 67, securing his spot for next year’s Open.
Thriston Lawrence finished fourth at 6-under, while Russell Henley’s bogey-free 69 earned him fifth place at 5-under. Shane Lowry, aiming for a second Claret Jug, fell short after a tough Saturday round of 77, ending in sixth place at 4-under.
Scottie Scheffler, world No. 1, had a rough final day. Double bogeys on the 9th and 18th holes dropped him to 1-under, tying for seventh with Jon Rahm and Sungjae Im.
Schauffele’s win at the British Open propels him to No. 2 in the world rankings, surpassing Rory McIlroy. Next up for Schauffele is the Paris Olympics, where he will defend his gold medal from the Tokyo Games in 2021.
2024 is shaping up to be Xander Schauffele’s year, and golf fans can’t wait to see what he does next.