To see Xander and Stefan Schauffele embrace – Xander holding on tight, Stefan’s sunglasses unable to conceal the tears that flowed from behind – was a reminder of the spell this beautifully dumb game has on so many of us.
For all that the former US Open champion performed with notable distinction en route to a tie for second place in the 152nd Open at Royal Troon, there is certainty that he is nearer the end of his career than the beginning.
Xander Schauffele’s second major championship of 2024 suddenly, maybe has started an unexpected debate for who the PGA Tour Player of the Year is. But there’s no debate who was the best player in the year’s four major championships.
Schauffele certainly got the job done with his irons. He ranked second in strokes gained/approach the green, picking up more than 10 shots on the field average. He also ranked second in greens in regulation.
A guaranteed return to the Open Championship via a top-10 result was the silver lining for Adam Scott after cooling from an early charge at a second career major championship.
Justin Thomas teed off on Sunday morning in the final round of the Open Championship with a chance to win the claret jug. Seconds later, his dreams were sunk. Literally.
It’s never been easy to know exactly what to make of the man who leads the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon with 18 holes to play. Not much about the career of Billy Horschel has ever been easy or straightforward.
This time last year, Wyndham Clark rolled into the Open at Royal Liverpool as US Open champ. This week, ahead of the 152nd Open at Royal Troon, Clark was not even among the 15 betting favourites, checking in at $60 or higher on most pre-tournament odds.
Australian Golf Digest
