Relaxed Schauffele in good spot
McIlroy’s playing partner heads pack with Spieth, Kisner
CARNOUSTIE, Scotland — Xander Schauffele’s young golf career is like a stung 1-iron.
Impressive distance. Way under the radar.
The 24-year-old San Diego native heads into Sunday with a share of the lead in the British Open. He’s 9 under par, tied with Jordan Spieth and Kevin Kisner, after shooting a 4-under 67 on Saturday at Carnoustie.
He was paired with the ultrapopular Rory McIlroy and was the “other guy” despite his impressive round.
“I played in front of Rory’s crowd, I guess, and guys were just yelling all the time, even while he’s trying to putt, and he had to step off a few times,” said Schauffele, sounding thankful for his incognito status. “No one was yelling at me while I was putting.
“I kind of enjoy just hanging back and relaxing, sort of the San Diego, SoCal vibe, whatever you call it. It’s cool with me. It doesn’t bother me at all.”
The way he’s playing, Schauffele won’t be in the shadows for long. He joined the PGA Tour last year, won two tournaments — including the Tour Championship — tied for fifth in the U.S. Open and took Rookie of the Year honors. Among his accomplishments this year are a tie for sixth in the U.S. Open and a tie for second in the Players Championship.
“The finish I had last year, it boosted my expectations, just like it would to anyone else,” he said. “Maybe I put a lot more pressure on myself, which is also fine. And I feel like I’ve done OK maybe, nothing too crazy.
“So just like everyone says, the more you can put yourself into contention to win, that means you’re playing good golf. Sooner or later, you’re more likely to get it done.”
Spieth’s new haircut, largely obscured by his ballcap while playing, is shorter on the sides than the Carnoustie fairways.
“He went a little high and tight,” said Spieth, who got the trim at a shop in town Saturday morning. “It was intended to be what I normally get; instead he went a little bit shorter. Very British haircut. A little shaved on the sides, a little longer on top. It is what it is. Summertime. It works out.”
Asked if the barber recognized him, Spieth said: “I don’t think so. He didn’t really say much.”
The guy probably appreciated the tip, though. Spieth said he gave him 20 pounds for a nine-pound cut.
It was another great day for 60year-old Bernhard Langer, who shot a 68. He made the cut Friday, when the Nos. 1 and 2 players in the world, Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas, failed to do so.
“You can really only do that in the game of golf,” said Langer, the 1985 and ’93 Masters champion. “You can’t do it in tennis or in soccer or whatever because it’s all physical.
“Golf, there’s a lot more consistency. It’s strategy. And especially in links golf, you can play every hole three different ways, or two different ways for sure. Either way, you have to execute.”
Justin Rose was about 18 feet from going home Friday when he made a birdie putt on the 18th hole to make the cut on the number.
One day later, he was five shots out of the lead.
No one took advantage of the calm conditions like Rose, who played bogeyfree in the third group out and shot a 7-under 64. It was his lowest score in a British Open by two shots, and at the end of the day, he was tied for 13th.
“There’s a difference between being 3 over on Friday and way off the lead and 3 over and way off the lead on Saturday morning,” Rose said. “You kind of feel a bit more grateful to be here rather than Friday night, (when) you feel frustrated to be there.
“So I think the birdie on 18 last night freed me up, and I’m just very happy to be out on this golf course and not down the road somewhere else this morning. Obviously, I had nothing to lose.”
He won’t be losing much sleep. Rose had Saturday afternoon off to rest, and he got to sleep later Sunday. Associated Press contributed.