Xander Schauffele clinched his second major title of the year on Sunday by winning the British Open at Royal Troon with a stunning 6-under 65, overcoming a two-shot deficit. This victory completed an American sweep of the four major championships for the first time since 1982.

Review of the Action

Despite a slow start, taking six holes to make his first birdie while others around him started strong, Schauffele played a bogey-free round. He pulled ahead with three birdies in a four-hole stretch early on the back nine, transforming a two-shot deficit into a three-shot lead. He eventually won by two shots over Americans Billy Horschel and Justin Rose, having gone through 36-hole qualifying to enter the field against Justin. Despite several players holding at least a share of the lead at some point on Sunday, none could keep pace with Schauffele.

Thriston Lawrence, the player Schauffele had to overtake, ended the front nine with a 32 but couldn’t maintain his lead. Schauffele’s pivotal moment came with a perfect wedge shot to 3 feet for birdie on the 11th, another birdie on the 13th, and a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-3 14th. Lawrence dropped a shot on the 12th and couldn’t recover, closing with a 68. He earned a consolation prize: a trip to the Masters next April.

Scottie Scheffler briefly contended but faltered with a double bogey on the ninth hole and another on the 18th, finishing with a 72 and tying for seventh. Afterward, he shared a hug with Schauffele, recognizing their shared status as the top players in golf. Schauffele was the sole golfer to secure a top-10 finish in every major tournament this year.

Schauffele’s Strength

Starting the season with doubts about his ability to win a major, Schauffele has now secured two, showcasing a level of play not seen in 90 years. He had earlier claimed victory at the PGA Championship at Valhalla by making a 6-foot birdie putt on the final hole, finishing with a 65. At Royal Troon, where the final round promised high drama with six players within one shot of the lead and nine within three shots, Schauffele made a tense Sunday look effortless.

Schauffele became the first player to win two majors with closing rounds of 65 in the same year, a feat only Jack Nicklaus has achieved in his career. He maintained his trademark calm demeanor, even as the wind posed significant challenges at Royal Troon. On the 18th tee, Schauffele told his caddie and longtime friend, Austin Kaiser, that he felt calm, while Kaiser admitted he was feeling the pressure.

The 30-year-old San Diego native also became the first player since Jordan Spieth in 2015 to win his first two majors in the same season. He continued the American dominance at Royal Troon, marking the seventh American champion in the last eight tournaments held there. 

Justin Rose finished with a 67, good for second place, while Horschel, who began the final round with a one-shot lead, ended with a 68 after birdying his last three holes. 

“He’s got a lot of horsepower,” Rose said regarding Schauffele. “He’s good with a wedge, great with a putter, hits the ball a long way, and his iron play is strong. But probably his most underrated quality is his mentality. He’s so calm out there.”

Open Payouts

The British Open offered a $17 million purse this season, a record for the event but the lowest among the major championships in 2024. The Players Championship had the largest purse at $25 million, awarding Scottie Scheffler a $4.5 million prize after his win at TPC Sawgrass. Schauffele earned $3.3 million for winning the PGA Championship.

The R&A’s purse increased by $500,000 from last year, meaning Schauffele will take home $3.1 million for his win at Royal Troon. Here’s a breakdown of how much Schauffele and the rest of the field earned this week in Scotland:

1. Xander Schauffele — $3.1 million  
2. Justin Rose, Billy Horschel — $1.443 million  
3. Thriston Lawrence — $876,000  
4. Russell Henley — $705,000  
5. Shane Lowry — $611,000  

T7. Jon Rahm, Sungjae Im, Scottie Scheffler — $451,833

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The 2024 PGA Championship boasts sixteen former winners, with only two having clinched the Wanamaker Trophy at Valhalla Golf Club, where this year’s event unfolds on Thursday, May 16th, to Sunday, May 19th. Rory McIlroy, victorious in 2014, and Tiger Woods, who triumphed in 2000 after a playoff, stand at opposite ends of the odds spectrum for the 2024 PGA Championship. 

McIlroy is a solid second favorite at 6-1, while Woods is a longshot at 125-1 among the contenders. Scottie Scheffler emerges as the favorite for the 2024 PGA Championship, dominating the golf scene lately despite missing out on major titles beyond the Masters. Brooks Koepka enters the PGA Championship as the third favorite among the contenders.

Favorite Scottie Scheffler

Life is pretty sweet for Scottie Scheffler these days. He’s been on fire, winning four out of his last five tournaments, earning a second green jacket, and recently becoming a father to a baby boy. Reflecting on his break from golf, Scheffler feels confident and well-prepared, thanks to intense practice sessions back home. 

Now, he’s gearing up for the Championship, where he aims to build on his impressive second-place finish from last year. Despite his golf hiatus, Scheffler is feeling refreshed and ready to take on the competition. Amidst diaper changes and family time, he’s also eyeing an Olympic spot, aiming to silence critics who doubt golfers’ athleticism. As he prepares to tee off alongside Wyndham Clark and Brian Harman at 2:13 p.m. on Thursday, Scheffler reflects on the journey that brought him to this moment.

Onward For Koepka

After clinching his fifth major victory, Brooks Koepka seemed to internalize his own superhuman narrative. At the U.S. Open last June, adorned with the PGA Championship win, he confidently proclaimed his pursuit of double-digit majors, a feat not beyond his reach. And his track record justified the claim– Koepka had emerged as the premier major champion of his era, eclipsing the likes of Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth. Yet, as the saying goes, pride comes before a fall. Despite the great self-belief, Koepka stumbled at subsequent tournaments – trailing nine strokes behind Wyndham Clark, then placing T64 at the Open Championship, and a humbling T45 at the recent Masters.

Now, at 34, Koepka enters the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club with a markedly different demeanor. This time, he’s laser-focused. The recent slump has spurred a renewed commitment to excellence. Koepka, now a father to a 10-month-old son, Crew, has been pushing himself with punishing workouts, determined to prove his mettle. His recent victory in Singapore underscores this newfound resolve, with Koepka acknowledging the wake-up call delivered by his lackluster performance at Augusta.

Double For Mcllroy?

This week marks Rory McIlroy’s 36th major championship appearance since his last triumph at Valhalla Golf Club on August 10, 2014. If McIlroy clinches his third Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday, it will mark a span of 3,570 days since his last major triumph, ranking him among the top eight golfers with the longest gaps between major victories in history.

At 35 years old, McIlroy maintains that time is not a pressing concern in his career trajectory. “I’ve noticed a more consistent performance in majors over the past couple of years,” McIlroy remarked earlier this year. “While it’s been a decade since my last major win, I remain optimistic. I’ve had my chances, and I just need to continue putting myself in contention.”

McIlroy’s track record in majors since his Valhalla triumph speaks volumes. He boasts 20 top-10 finishes in majors during this period, the highest tally among all players.

Despite falling short in his bid for a career Grand Slam at the Masters in April, McIlroy’s consistency remains evident, with top-10 finishes in seven of the last eight majors. Since his 2014 PGA Championship victory, McIlroy has clinched three FedEx Cup titles and secured 22 wins across the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, the most by any player.

Entering the upcoming major in peak form, McIlroy boasts back-to-back victories. After teaming up with Shane Lowry to claim the Zurich Classic team event, McIlroy clinched a record fourth Wells Fargo Championship title with a commanding 5-stroke triumph at Quail Hollow Club.

In the lead-up to their final round at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans team event, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry were greeted with a standing ovation upon their arrival at the iconic creole French Quarter restaurant, Arnaud’s. The duo, who attracted the largest and most enthusiastic galleries at the TPC Louisiana, enjoyed the warm reception in a venue unfamiliar to McIlroy.

Recap of the Action

The tension peaked when Martin Trainer missed a crucial 6-foot par putt, sending McIlroy and Lowry into a jubilant embrace on the green. For McIlroy, aged 34, it marked his 25th PGA Tour triumph and the first of the season, while Lowry celebrated his third PGA Tour victory. Their joint effort saw them finish with a 4-under 68 in the alternate-shot final round, matching Ramey and Trainer’s score of 25-under 263.

Ramey and Trainer surged up the leaderboard with nine birdies between the seventh and 18th holes, equalling the tournament record with an impressive 63. However, they faced a nerve-wracking wait of nearly three hours to see if their lead would hold.

The playoff hole witnessed struggles from both teams. Trainer and Ramey faced difficulties with errant shots, ultimately conceding to McIlroy and Lowry’s steady play. Lowry’s resilience shone through, as he narrowly missed victory on two occasions before sealing the deal with a decisive birdie putt on the par-5 18th hole.

Ryan Brehm and Mark Hubbard narrowly missed the playoff, finishing third after a dramatic finish. Despite a valiant effort, former BYU teammates Patrick Fishburn and Zach Blair faltered with a double bogey on the 17th, settling for a tie for fourth place.

McIlroy and Lowry’s journey to victory was not without its challenges, with early bogeys testing their resolve. However, McIlroy’s clutch birdie putts and Lowry’s crucial chip shots propelled them back into contention, ultimately leading to their triumph on the playoff hole.

Reflecting on the Tourney

Reflecting on their experience, Lowry humorously remarked on McIlroy’s enduring popularity, quipping, “He’s getting old, but he still moves the needle a little bit.” The camaraderie between the two was evident as they shared laughs and appreciation for the support they received in New Orleans.

Acknowledging their opponents’ impressive performance, McIlroy expressed empathy for Ramey and Trainer, recognizing their outstanding round amidst challenging conditions. The playoff proved to be a nerve-wracking affair, with both teams facing their share of challenges before McIlroy and Lowry ultimately emerged victorious.

Their journey to victory was not without its ups and downs, as they navigated early setbacks to mount a compelling charge fueled by McIlroy’s clutch birdie putts and Lowry’s steady play. The duo’s ability to rely on each other proved pivotal in their success, as they overcame obstacles to secure the coveted title. Reflecting on their shared journey, McIlroy emphasized the importance of injecting fun into the sport, a sentiment echoed by Lowry.

The Payouts

The teams received payouts in an alternating fashion, with rewards distributed every two spots. In the case of McIlroy and Lowry, they divided the prize money for first and second place, each netting $1,286,050. Similarly, they shared the FedExCup points, with both players earning 400 points each.

Following closely behind in second place were Chad Ramey and Martin Trainer, who secured a commendable $525,100 in prize money. Ryan Brehm and Mark Hubbard clinched the third spot, earning themselves a respectable payout of $343,763. 

Meanwhile, a four-way tie for fourth place saw Garrick Higgo and Ryan Fox, Sam Stevens and Paul Barjon, Zac Blair and Patrick Fishburn, as well as Nico Echavarria and Max Greyserman, each taking home $234,181. Rounding out the top earners were Greyson Sigg and Chesson Hadley, who claimed the eighth spot and received $149,075 in prize money.

Despite the absence of world-ranking points this week, every member of the winning team is awarded a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour, regardless of their current membership status. Additionally, they secure entry into this season’s three remaining Signature Events, with the next one scheduled in two weeks at the Wells Fargo Championship.

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