At The Open, the task is navigating whatever happens to be in front of you that week, that day, that hour. It’s rarely fair, and never easy. They each reflect the culture they exist within, and the types of champions they produce.
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.
The book on Xander Schauffele heading into this year’s major season said he couldn’t close after finished in a tie for second at The Players. After his performance Sunday at Royal Troon, Schauffele clearly is in the midst of a major rewrite.
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.
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.
The 29-year-old Englishman had to wait until 4:16pm – the second-last threesome – to begin the first round of his first career major start, only to shoot a bogey-free 65 to outpace Shane Lowry by one shot.
Australian Golf Digest
