Xander Schauffele held off fellow Major & former Olympic Champion Justin Rose, to win The Open by 3 shots at Royal Troon.
Rose was bidding to win the Claret Jug for the first time, coming through regional qualifying to earn his place at Troon, and produced sensational golf in the worst of the weather during the 1st and 3rd rounds in particular.
However, it wasn’t to be for Rose, despite a stunning round of 68 on the final day that included a driver off the deck approach to the Par 5 16th hole.
He did well to hold back his emotions at the 72nd hole, coming so close once again to winning the title he craves.
The day however belonged to Schauffele, who started the day at -3, only 2 shots behind overnight leader Billy Horschel. A quite wonderful final round of 65 included 3 superb birdies on the back 9 to hold off his nearest challengers.
Schauffele adds The Open to his USPGA title he won earlier in the year, with the newly crowned ‘Champion Golfer of the Year’ now picking up his second win in Scotland, following his victory at the Genesis Scottish Open in 2022.
The weather certainly caused havoc at Troon, with several of the biggest names missing the cut, including Ludvig Aberg, Victor Hovland, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods.
We were certainly treated to some quite brilliant golf as the players battled heavy rain and strong winds, weather that ultimately ended Shane Lowry’s hopes on Saturday with 7 bogeys through the final 11 holes.
Lowry also shot 68 on the final day to finish in 6th place, behind Thirston Lawrence and Russel Henley.
World No.1 Scottie Scheffler gave us all hope as he hooked his final drive of the day on 18, 115 yards into deep rough, taking a drop in the bunker to find the fairway with his 3rd shot. He would finish in a tie for 7th place alongside Sun Jae Im and Jon Rahm.
Debutant Daniel Brown cemented his place in next year’s Open Championship with a T10 finish alongside Adam Scott and Matthew Jordan.
And with the conclusion of the 152nd Open at Royal Troon, the Majors belong to America, with Scheffler and DeChambeau having taken the Masters and US Open titles.
The Open will return to Royal Portrush in 2025, will we see a European winner at a Major next season? Time will tell.
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