NORTH BERWICK, Scotland — The 2022 Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club was the very first event held as a joint effort – the PGA Tour co-sanctioned a European tour event, and the weather was more reminiscent of a pristine San Diego weekend than the typical summer conditions off the coast of Scotland. Southern California native Xander Schauffele felt right at home continuing his winning ways of late. Coming off victories at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut, then the prestigious JP McManus Pro-Am at Adare Manor – Schauffele is the hottest player in the world leading up to the 150th Open Championship at St.Andrews.
For over two years Schauffele was in a drought, but Sunday he once again showed his mettle when he overcame a rough patch in the middle of his round with two key birdies and a par save for an even-par 70 to win the Scottish Open. Next up is the Open at St. Andrews where Schauffele brings a ton of momentum. He admitted to not having his best stuff on Sunday, but gutted it out, “It’s what links golf promotes, getting the ball in the hole. I was telling myself that it doesn’t really have to be pretty,” Schauffele said. “It wasn’t very pretty, unfortunately, but I got the ball in the hole and one better than everyone else.”
Schauffele has 7 career titles on the PGA Tour. His 8-foot par save on the par-3 17th at The Renaissance Club gave him a two-shot lead. He played an iron off the 18th tee to avoid a big number and wound up making bogey to finish at 7 under par, winning by a shot over Kurt Kitayama.
The consolation prize for Kitayama was earning a spot in the field at St.Andrews, his third straight year earning a spot at the Open Championship. The other two spots went to Brandon Wu and Jamie Donaldson, who tied for sixth.
Scores: https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2022/genesis-scottish-open/leaderboard.html
