Xander Schauffele described his victory at the 152nd Open as a “dream come true,” securing his second major title in quick succession and completing an American clean sweep of the game’s biggest titles.
In a flawless closing round at Royal Troon, Schauffele carded a 65 to finish with a nine-under-par total, two shots ahead of Billy Horschel and Justin Rose. Rose, who was in contention to become the first English winner of the Claret Jug since 1992, finished tied for second with Horschel.
South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence ended up in fourth place after carding a 68. Despite leading for a period during the final round, Lawrence finished one shot behind Rose and Horschel.
Savoring the Victory
Reflecting on his win, Schauffele expressed his excitement about holding the Claret Jug, stating, “It really is a dream come true to be holding this trophy. It means a lot, it’s something all of us play for. It definitely hasn’t sunk in yet, and I can’t wait to sit back and have a moment with this Claret Jug.”
Schauffele, who previously won the US PGA at Valhalla in May with a record 21-under-par score, became the first player to win two majors in a year since Brooks Koepka in 2018.
With his victory at The Open, Schauffele continues the dominance of American players at Royal Troon, marking the seventh American winner in the last eight Opens hosted at the course. His next challenge will be to defend his Olympic title in Paris.
Despite facing stiff competition throughout the final round, Schauffele remained composed and finished with a three-shot lead. His birdies on the 14th and 16th holes secured his victory, with Rose birdying the 18th to secure a tie for second with Horschel.
Other notable performances in the tournament included Shane Lowry, who finished sixth after a strong round, and Jon Rahm, Sungjae Im, and Scottie Scheffler who finished in seventh place.
Overall, Schauffele’s victory at The Open solidified his position as one of golf’s top players, showcasing his talent and composure on the course.
