Xander Schauffele posted a national final round of 65 at Royal Troon on Sunday to take a huge lead over the field. He won the 152nd Open Championship and his second major title ever.
It was a superb golfing performance from the 2020 Olympic champion, who fended off attacks from fellow Olympic champions Justin Rose, Thriston Lawrence and Billy Horschel to win the coveted Claret Jug with a final score of -9.
Rose and Schauffele began their final round together, with the 2013 US Open winner pushing the American to the right and finishing two strokes behind the 2024 PGA Championship winner for his highest finish at a major tournament since he tied for second at the 2018 Open.
Schauffele, who claimed his first major victory at Valhalla earlier this year, had to wait until Lawrence was in the locker room before his victory was officially confirmed. The South African shot a final round of 68 to end his third weekend with a score of -6.
Despite a sensational performance by Lawrence, he could not catch up with Schauffele. Schauffele has now completely shaken off the nickname ‘almost golfer’, because he had to wait so long to be crowned winner of a major tournament.
More to follow…