TROON, Scotland — Xander Schauffele won his second major in three months in the 152nd Open at Royal Troon on Sunday to complete an American clean sweep of the game’s biggest titles. Schauffele carded a flawless closing 65 to finish nine under par, two shots clear of overnight leader Billy Horschel and Justin Rose, who had threatened to become the first English winner of the Claret Jug since 1992. South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence, who held the lead after 11 holes of the final round, finished a shot further back in fourth following a 68.
Schauffele, who registered a major record of 21 under par to win the US PGA at Valhalla in May, is the first player to win two majors in a year since Brooks Koepka in 2018. “It’s been quite a journey and I feel very honored to hear my name called with ‘Open champion’ after it. It’s something I’ve dreamt of for a long time,” Schauffele said at the presentation ceremony.
The world No. 3 is also the seventh American winner in the last eight Opens at Royal Troon — Sweden’s Henrik Stenson having denied Phil Mickelson in a thrilling duel in 2016 — and will head to Paris to defend his Olympic title in brilliant form. “I wasn’t here in 2016 but I actually watched highlights of Phil (Mickelson) and Henrik (Stenson) to motivate myself — and it paid off this week,” Schauffele said.
“I’ve been in Scotland for two weeks and you guys (the fans) have made it feel like a second home. I can’t wait to come back,” he said.