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1 month ago
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Xander Schauffele produced a sesnational final round of 65 to storm through the field at Royal Troon on Sunday to win the 152nd Open Championship and his second-ever major title.
It was a superb display of golf from the 2020 Olympic champion, who fended off the advances from fellow Olympic champion Justin Rose, Thriston Lawrence and Billy Horschel to clinch the coveted Claret Jug with a final score of -9.
Rose and Schauffele had teed off together for their final round, with the 2013 US Open champion pushing the American right to end, finishing two shots back from the 2024 PGA Championship winner to secure his highest-ever finish at a major title since he placed T2 at the Open back in 2018.
Schauffele, who enjoyed his first taste of victory at a major at Valhalla earlier this year, had to wait until Lawrence was in the clubhouse before his win was officially confirmed, with the South African posting a final round of 68 to wrap up his weekend T3 at -6.
Despite a sensational performance from Lawrence, he could not catch Schauffele, who has now well and truly shed the knickname of 'golf's nearly man' - having waited so long to be crowned a major winner.
Xander Schauffele (pictured) has won the Open Championship after shooting a sensational final score of 65
Schauffele wrapped up his weekend shooting 69, 72, 69, 65, to finish -9, two shots clear of Justin Rose and Billy Horschel at -7
Schauffele would storm through the field, to surpass fellow Olympic champion Justin Rose (left) who also enjoyed an excellent tournament
The American clinched his second major title having previously won the PGA Championship at Valhalla earlier this season
The 30-year-old (right) hugged his caddie Austin Kaiser (left) after putting out on the 18th hole
Schauffele (left) of the United States is congratulated by his Father, Stefan Schauffele (right) on the 18th green
Schauffele sealed the victory with a composed performance, hitting four birdies in his back nine to wrap up his weekend, 69, 72, 69, 65.
It was the second time this year that he has clinched a major by producing a low score of 65, having done the same at Valhalla earlier this year.
'It's been quite a journey and I feel very honoured to hear my name called out with Open Champion after it,' Schauffele said after he had been presented the Claret Jug. 'It's something I have dreamt of for a very long time.
While thanking his family, coaching group and the fans around Royal Troon, Schauffele gave a hint into what motivated him to win, stating that he had re-watched Henrik Stenson's epic duel with Phil Mickelson back in 2016 at Royal Troon.
'I watched the highlights of Phil [Mickelson] and Henrick [Stenson] to motivate myself for this week. I guess that paid off pretty nice,' he joked.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he Schauffele admitted that the win had not sunk in just yet and he was looking forward to celebrating with the jug: 'I just can't wait to drink out of it.
'My dads here with me so I'll let him do the honour,' he said when pressed on what drink he'd be picking to drink out of the jug.
Reflecting on being crowned the Champion Golffer, he added: 'It means a lot. It really is a dream come true to be holding this, it hasn't sunk in yet and my brain is still grinding on this amazing property.
'I thought it would help me and it actually did. I had this sense of calm, a calm I didnt have at the PGA.
'I was calm and felt collected, I was telling my caddie Austin that I was feeling calm on the 18th and he said he felt he was about to puke on the 18th tee.'
More to follow...
English (US)