Rose and Horschel settle for second spot
American Xander Schauffele shot an impressive 6-under par 65 on Sunday for a tally of 9-under par 275 to snatch the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon in Scotland (17-21 July) by two clear strokes from England’s Justin Rose and Billy Horschel (USA). In doing so, the talented 30 year old from California became the most recent player to win both the PGA Championship and the Open in the same year just as Rory McIlroy did back in 2014.
Schauffele started the final round at Royal Troon in a share of second place on 3-under par behind fellow-countryman Billy Horschel. Among the players hot on the leader’s tails just one shot behind were Americans Schauffele, Sam Burns and Russell Henley as well as South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence and England’s Daniel Brown who, amazingly, kept up his impressive play all week.
On Sunday Billy Horschel had a big day ahead of him. The 37-year old from Florida was leading the tournament by one wee shot on 4-under par. Justin Rose played with Xander Schauffele on the final day which meant that the two Olympic Champions could perhaps inspire each other at Royal Troon. Lucky Daniel Brown meanwhile had the honour of teeing-up with World Number One Scottie Scheffler.
Rose draws level with Horschel
Justin Rose birdied the second hole to draw level with the leader Horschel on 4-under par. A few minutes later the American then birdied the first to take the outright lead again on 5-under. Yes, there was little doubt about it, today was going to be a very special day of golf!
Indeed, Shane Lowry from Ireland made a comeback too. After leading the championship after 36 holes, he made back-to-back birdies at the 4th and holed a mile-long putt at the 5th hole to take a share of fourth place on 4-under.
Rose then birdied the 4th hole to take the lead on his own. Then South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence, Rose and Horschel drew level on 5-under to share the lead.
Lawrence birdied the 9th to snatch the lead again but landed in trouble at the 12th hole where he made a bogey. Horschel also bogeyed the 10th and Rose bogeyed the 12th. Yet Xander Schauffele made birdie at the 11th to become co-leader with Lawrence on 7-under.
Scotland’s 20-year old Calum Scott was meanwhile safe and sound in the clubhouse with a solid performance of 8-over par to seize the Silver Medal for best amateur.
Spain’s Jon Rahm came alive on Sunday too when he shot three birdies in the first three holes and completed his round in 1-under par for a share of 7th place with Scottie Scheffler (USA) and Sungjae Kim (Korea).
On a birdie roll
Schauffele was on a birdie roll on Sunday. He made terrific birdies at the 14th and 16th to get to 9-under par. How could Justin Rose and Billy Horschel compete with that?
Well, Rose had an eagle chance at the 16th after reaching the par-5 in two but he had to settle for birdie. On the 18th he made a birdie to secure a great round of golf in 67 strokes for a score of 7-under par. It was a tremendous effort by the Englishman who was in search of his second Major victory after winning the 2013 US Open.
Billy Horschel shot a 68 with three birdies on the back nine to tie with Rose on 7-under. Irishman Shane Lowry did well on Sunday with an impressive 68 to get to 4-under with three delightful twos on his card.
The Brits were also proud of Daniel Brown who, although he was not on top form on the final day, did shoot a 74 for a tremendous top-10 finish at the Open.
As number three in the World Golf Ranking, Xander Schauffele was absolutely delighted to win his second Major and will cherish memories of the golf course at Royal Troon and the honour of becoming Champion Golfer of the Year with, naturally, the famous Claret Jug for many years to come.
Well, Xander Schauffele, the 2024 Open Champion, we are truly over the moon for you!
Wendy Hoad
Editor
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: The Champion Golfer of the Year, Xander Schauffele. MINIS (l-r): Xander Schauffele, Billy Horschel, Daniel Brown and Thriston Lawrence.