Storming final round earns Schauffele second major of the year
The Olympic champion is now the Open champion.
Xander Schauffele has claimed his second major of the year, winning the Open Championship with a final round 65 to claim a twoshot victory.
Starting the day a shot back from leader Billy Horschel, Schauffele shot the round of the day with four birdies coming on the back nine.
It’s his second major of 2024 after winning the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Course.
The world No 3 was two off the lead with nine to play and didn’t move to the top until the 13th hole, with a birdie moved him into a share of the lead with South Africa’s
Thriston Lawrence. Another birdie at the 14th and Schauffele went out on his own and ran away with it.
England’s Justin Rose, playing with Schauffele and Horschel both birdied the last to finish at sevenunder.
Lawrence finished in fourth at sixunder.
“I feel very honoured. Hearing your name called with “Open Champion” right after is something I’ve dreamt of for a very long time,” Schauffele said after being present the Claret Jug.
“It’s an honour. I’ve always dreamt of doing it. That walk up 18 truly is the coolest with the yellow leaderboards and the fans and the standing ovation.
“It really is one of the coolest feelings I’ve ever had in my life.
“I got chills walking down and quickly had to zap myself back into focus because the tournament wasn’t over yet.
“I can’t wait to enjoy this with my family,” he added.
New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier carded a final round one-over 72 to finish in a share of 19th at three-over, to earn $307,000. Fellow Kiwi Ryan Fox had one of the rounds of the day with a four-under 67 which included six birdies and two bogeys to finish at five-over, up 45 places to finish t-25th, earning around $228,000.
“I hit a lot of really quality shots, so it was nice to sign the week off on that,” Fox said.
“I’ve got a few days off now before the Olympics.
“I’ve played a lot of golf this year. This is four in a row, and I think I played an eight in a row and a six in a row in there, as well.
“It’s certainly nice to finish this week on a good note and take a little bit of form into the Olympics.”
After his celebrations with the Claret Jug, Schauffele will begin preparations of his defence at the Olympic tournament Le Golf National after winning gold in Tokyo.