Xander Schauffele and his second major triumph in just three months. While Scottie Scheffler is hailed as the dominant world No. 1, his compatriot surely has claims to being recognised as the champion golfer for the year.
Adam Scott, meanwhile, said pride is driving plus-40 golfers including himself, Sergio Garcia and Dustin Johnson, while Jason Day is looking forward to his first Olympics. And with Troon proving treacherous throughout the weekend, did the famous Postage Stamp prove the ultimate wrecker for the Open, or was the rail hole more deadly? Talking points for the British Open with the major season at an end. As Xander Schauffele walked across the 18th green to accept the Claret Jug on Sunday, he was announced to a standing ovation from the stands surrounding the last as the year’s “Champion Golfer”.
It is a turn of phrase which accompanies the Open winner every year and in normal circumstances Schauffele, who won his first major championship at Valhalla in May when securing the US PGA Championship, would have a lock on that honour. But given the deeds of Scottie Scheffler, who loomed on the front nine but never really set Troon alight through the four days when finishing in a tie for seventh at 1-under, it is a debate golf fans are certain to have throughout the remainder of the season. When it was put to Schauffele that players who win two majors in a season are “considered the best players” of a generation, the 30-year-old played a straight bat.
“I don.