By Jason Bruno
TROON, Scotland – Xander Schauffele once again showed how to take control on a major championship Sunday, firing a 6 under par 65 at Royal Troon to capture his second major championship of the year and the coveted Claret Jug. The 30-year-old Champion Golfer of the Year battled everything that mother nature and the field could throw at him – emerging with a two stroke victory at the games’ oldest championship.
At Valhalla, Schauffele won in his first major in dramatic fashion with a clutch putt on the 72nd green, at Royal Troon, Schauffele grabbed major no.2 by dominating the arduous inward side with a four birdies in a six hole stretch. That stretch enabled Xander to enjoy the stroll up the home hole with caddie Austin Kaiser to a resounding ovation from the Scottish faithful. His total of 275 – 9 under-par was two better than Billy Horschel (68) and Justin Rose (67).
Schauffele’s game was a flawless display of bogey-free links golf in tough unrelenting crosswinds. “I think winning the first one helped me a lot today on the back nine,” he said. “I had some feeling of calmness come through. It was very helpful on what has been one of the hardest back nines I’ve ever played in a tournament.”
In the 90-year history of four majors, Xander is the first player to win two majors in a season firing a final-round 65. Nicklaus is only other player to accomplish the feat over a career, but not in the same season.
Justin Rose assessed Xander’s game: “He has a lot of horsepower,” Rose said. “He’s good with a wedge, he’s great with a putter, he hits the ball a long way, obviously his iron play is strong. So he’s got a lot of weapons out there. I think probably one of his most unappreciated ones is his mentality. He’s such a calm guy out there.
“I don’t know what he’s feeling, but he certainly makes it look very easy.”
Schauffele discussed where his final round ranks in his career, “At the very tip-top,” Schauffele said. “Best round I’ve played.” And the walk up 18? “I got chills,” he said.
