Xander Schauffele’s Brilliant Six-Under Final Round 65 Clinches Open - Reaction

Hello and welcome to the final day of the 2024 Open!

What a day we have in store.

A Magnificent seven to ride again?

When Bryson DeChambeau won the US Open a few weeks ago at Pinehurst No. 2, it was sixth consecutive men’s Major won by a different American player: Brooks Koepka, Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and DeChambeau. From the 1975 PGA Championship to the 1977 US Open, there was a run of seven different US players winning: Jack Nicklaus, Raymond Floyd, Jerry Pate, Johnny Miller, Dave Stockton, Tom Watson and Hubert Green.

There is a good chance that the current run could also extend to seven. It would do so if the overnight leader Billy Horschel ultimately wins. Or if Russell Henley or Sam Burns, both part of the six-way tie in second overnight, do so.

"There is going to be some carnage there later"

Ryan Fox, who has finished his Open with a round of 67 today, has been talking about what it is like out there today:

"It's definitely tough out there... Are some scoring opportunities on the front line. A lot lot the pins were tricky today, a lot of big slopes near pins today. Even 8 —  8 is playing 100 yards and it's on a pretty decent slope and the breezes is blowing the ball down that slope — there is going to be some carnage there later." 

"There's still some opportunities on the front nine but I think the back is just hang on for dear life. Everything's either in and out of the left or straight out of the left and you've got to hit a lot of club in, maybe not as as much as the guys were hitting in yesterday, but it's still tough."

Low Amateur

The leading one of the amateurs at present, Calum Scott, has just teed off in his final round. He has found the light rough on the left of the fairway. Tommy Morrison has just finished his round.

There is a competition-within-a-competition for the Low Amateur,. The winner receives a silver medal; all those who complete 72 holes get a bronze medal. Four amateurs made it through to the weekend, and this is where they stand at present:

Calum Scott (Scotland) +3
Jacob Skov Olesen (Denmark) +9 thru 11
Tommy Morrison (USA) +11 (finished)
Luis Masaveu (Spain) +18 (finished)

Today's pin positions

Brooks Koepka round in level par 

Of the 14 players who have finished the rounds today, only Ryan Fox, 67, and Corey Conners, 68, have been under par. Koepka is the only other finisher not to be over par today.

Horschel's to lose?

Hardly, so tight is it at the top the leaderboard. But recent history might suggest otherwise – the past six Major winners have all held the lead or co-lead going in to the final day.

Seven players are within a shot of a lead entering today’s final round – that is the most at an Open since 1933.

Steady start by Calum Scott 

That is all he needs, as he is seven shots clear of the next best amateur. Going round in something even the upper mid 70s should be enough to win him the Silver Medal. He has started with two tap-in pars.

Sir Nick Faldo believes the weather is 'brutal' today 

"t's brutal because the wind's coming straight across the golf course so when they turn and come down those last six holes it's hard left to right for everybody. I think we're going to see some drama around the green. I think pitching's gonna be really key.... Whoever's left in the red is gonna win this – you'll be pretty disappointed to be e in the red and you don't." 

Winning on first Open appearance

Daniel Brown has been signing autographs on the Range for I suspect people who may not have known who he was a few days ago.

Brown is in the running to win in his first Major appearance. It has been done before: eight golfers have won on their Major debut. The most recent was Keegan Bradley, in the 2011 PGA Championship.

The most recent occasion at The Open was in 2003 at Royal St George’s, when Ben Curtis was the victor. Curtis was a most unlikely winner – ranked 396th in the world, he had neither played in a Major nor on a links course, and have never even have a top-10 finish on tour.

Andy Sutton was a caddy who lived in Kent who wanted some work at The Open at Sandwich. So he phoned International Management Group asking if any of their players needed a caddie that week. Ben Curtis did. Sutton guided and instructed him in links golf and Curtis, a 300-1 outsider, triumphed.

That year’s Open also had a tight leaderboard going into the final day - Curtis entered it in a five-way tie for third, two shots behind the leader, Thomas Bjørn.

Rahm starts strongly

He has made birdies on the first two holes and is now T10. Also in T10 is Jason Day who has gone out in 32, with birdies on 4, 6, 7 and 9.

Three in a row now for Rahm

He birdies the 3rd as well. Up to T9.

Calum Scott drops a shot on 5th hole 

After four tap-in pars, he misses a 16ft putt on the par-3 5th.

Thomas has to reload on the first tee 

He is blasted his tee shot out of bounds. His second serve goes into a fairway bunker.

Rahm's birdie run comes to an end

He made par on the par-5 4th when his 28ft birdie putt charged past. He now has a birdie putt of similar length on the par-3 5th.

Quick question: What role does the winner of the Kenya Open of 1985 have at this year’s Open?

Answer in a few minutes.

Rahm's birdie putt on 5 goes about a foot wide

But he has moved up six places from the start of play and is three shots off the lead, in T9.

Answer as to what role the winner of the Kenya Open of 1985 has at this year’s Open

He is Garry Harvey, a formerly a pro on the European Tour, and now the R&A's official engraver. This is a role that was passed down to him from his father, Alex (pictured), in 2004. His first year was at Royal Troon, and Todd Hamilton was the first name he engraved.

The champion had been responsible for getting the trophy engraved with their own name – Gary Player infamously had his name engraved at twice the size of anyone else's – but when Roberto De Vicenzo, the 1967 victor at Royal Liverpool, rocked up at St Andrews the following year without the trophy having been engraved, it was taken to a jewellers in St Andrews to get done. This is how Alex Harvey engraved his first name on the band on the trophy. From this chance commission, he forged a relationship with the R&A and they asked him to come to each Open and engrave the winner’s name before the presentation so that the Claret Jug could have be presented with the winner’s name already on it – and at same size as everyone else’s name!

It takes “around five minutes” to engrave each champion’s name. Garry says. He also admits he prefers that the winner has a short and easily spelt name, so Padraig Harrington was his least favourite winner, simply from a naming point of view. But then his father had got Severiano Ballesteros, the winner of the 108th Open at Royal Lytham & St. Annes in 1979, to cope with. He could have been engraving his son’s name that year, as Garry Harvey played in that Open. But he shot 80 and 82 and missed the cut.

That was the only time Gary played in The Open, but he has been back every year since 2004.

Thomas cards a 7 on the first hole

Yikes. From level par for the tournament he is now +3 and had dropped 17 places from the start of play.

Home country favourite Robert McIntyre finishes his final round

He has gone round in 74. The Scottish Open champion is currently T63.

Brown with bogey on first hole

He found a greenside bunker with his approach. Chips out ok but cannot make the putt.

Just two more groups to go out 

That is the penultimate pair of that final pair of Russell Henley, Sam Burns; and then the finals pairing which is Thriston Lawrence and Billy Horschel.

Rahm's charge resumed 

After three consecutive pars after his opening three birdies, he has now given himself and excellent birdie chance on the 7th.

Rahm makes that birdie on 7

That putt was little more than 3ft and and he goes to -2, two shots off the lead.

MacIntyre has been reflecting on his Open

"A lot of big numbers, but a lot of good golf as well. And yeah just a disappointing week but it's good to get some rest now.. The support I had last week was incredible and then every step this week I was getting cheered walking om to the tees and greens - it was unbelievable and it's just a dream for me to be honest."

This is an important round for Rahm's season

If he could pull a victory out of the bag here, it could change the whole narrative of his season. His other two Majors this season were disappointing and he's not won on the LIV League. But his season could end up, just possibly, with him a Major champion again and -– as he is second in the LIV league – he could win that also. A Major champion again and the LIV champion would add up to a pretty good year... 

Alternatively it could end up as a mediocre Major season and no wins on the LIV tour.. .

Next couple of hours or so could be so important to the story and perception of Rahm's season and his move to LIV.

Leader Horschel is underway 

He finds the middle of the 1st fairway. If Billy Horschel wins today he will be the oldest first time winner of a major since Henrik Stenson won the last time that The Open was played at Royal Troon. Horschel is 37 years, seven months and 14 days old; Stenson was 40.

Rose birdies the 2nd 

He is now co-leader with Horschel, who himself has a decent birdie opportunity on the 1st.

Low amateur award looks to be heading Scott's way

Jacob Skov Olesen has finished his round and he is tied with Tommy Morrison on +11. Calum Scott knows what he has to do to win now and he looks to be doing it - 10 holes played, eight pars, one bogey, one birdie and he is +3. That Silver Medal is definitely his to lose now, and he can even get away with one disastrous hole in all probability.

How the final pairing began their round

Horschel retakes lead with birdie on 1st

Brown going down

He has fallen five places from the start of play with his second bogey of the round, which was at the par-5 4th. 

What next?

This is the final Major of the season. But there is still the Olympic golf competition to come. Will, in time, this come to be considered akin to a Major? Or even treated as one in the record books of the future? At present, it still seems the poor relation. Would a golfer rather win The Open or Olympic gold? Obviously they would prefer to win both but, given the choice, I suspect they would opt for the Major.

This was part of the debate when it was proposed that golf re-enter the Olympics. The argument against it was that the Olympics should be seen as the pinnacle of a sport and in golf it would not be. There were strong commercial pressures to have golf in the Olympics. The desire was to introduce golf to territories where it is not widely known or played. However great an Open Championship this is proving to be, it will pass people by in the non-golfing world. But the Olympics reaches parts of the world that the Open Championship, or the Masters or the Ryder Cup for that matter, cannot.

But the Olympics, being based around nations and national teams, does mean that several of the top men's golfers will not be competing at Le Golf National in Paris. Qualification for the Olympics golf was based on the Official World Golf Rankings. Golfers in the top 15 places of these qualified automatically, but with a limit of four golfers from a particular country.

With Americans dominating the upper reaches of the men's OWGR, this has meant that several leading male golfers have failed to make it to Paris. The USA men’s quartet is Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Wyndham Clark and Collin Morikawa. Therefore there is no place for, for example, world number nine Bryson DeChambeau, a winner of a Major this season, and the Olympic field of 60 could be potentially be without another of this season's Major winners depending on who wins here at Troon. It is already without last year’s Open Champion, Brian Harman, who is world number 13, and Patrick Cantay (8), Sanith Theegala (11) and Max Homa (15).

Although there are many ways that a LIV golfer can qualify for a Major which do not involve the OWGR, there are no such entry routes to the Olympics. Beyond the top-15 spots in the OWGR, places are then allocated to the highest-ranked players up to a maximum of two per country, the process continuing until the field of 60 has been filled. (The highest-ranked player in the men’s tournament is Paraguayan Fabrizio Zanotti at 343.)

Rahm drops shots on 11 

After a very wayward drive he has to take the penalty drop and ends up with a double bogey. Is this the end of his charge? He is now four shots of the lead.

Thomas recovers from his horror start

Having made seven on the first hole he has had four consecutive pars and now back-to-back birdies.

Lowry back on form 

Three birdies in the opening seven holes as left him two shots off the lead.

Both of the final pair miss the green on par-3 5th

Horschel goes into a greenside bunker but a superb bunker shot leaves him a tap in par. Lawrence is off to the left in short rough but he has the good lie and leaves himself with a short putt. Two pars made and off to the 6th.

Brown pulls one back

A wonderful short approach on the seventh leaves him a short birdie putt. That should stem the bleeding after he has bogeyed the past three holes. Birdie is indeed duly made and he is back under par for the tournament.

Birdie for Lowry on the Postage Stamp 

That is four birdies in the last five holes. He is getting huge support from the grandstands.

Scheffler now makes birdie on the Postage Stamp 

He goes to within one shot of the lead. Seven players are now separated by a single shot at the top.

Playoff rules

Probably a good time to explain how a playoff will work. If a playoff is required, it will be a four-hole one played over the 1st, 2nd, 17th and 18th holes. 

The lowest total score in the playoff will win the Claret Jug. If there is still a tie for first place after this four-hole playoff, then it goes down to a sudden death playoff which will be played on the 18th with the players playing it as many times as is required to find a winner.

Two of the three previous Opens at Royal tune have gone to a playoff. The four-hole aggregate playoff format was adopted in 1985 and the first time it was used was at Royal Troon in 1989 when Mark Calcavecchia defeated Greg Norman and Wayne Grady. In 2004 Todd Hamilton beat Ernie Els in a play-off.

The Open has been decided 21 times in a playoff. Prior to the introduction of the four-hole playoff, playoffs had been contested over either a full round or two full rounds.

The first time a playoff was used was at the 23rd Open Championship and it was a 36-hole one. That year’s Open had 34 entrants and they played 36 holes on a single day on November 16th. It was played over Musselburgh’s nine-hole links, so players went around four times. Play only apparently began at 11.30am. It is hard to imagine tournament golfers getting in 36 holes in mid November if they only started at 11:30, but apparently this lot did so, although it's reported that on a dull day with light winds they did end up playing in semi darkness by the end.

Two Scots, Willie Fernie and Bob Ferguson, were tied after 36 holes on 158 so they played another 36 holes the next day, Fernie winning by one shot 158 to 159. It had been not so much a playoff as a replay.

Horschel in a cardigan

A bit like is a hoodie where I can't see the point unless you're going to use the hood, what is the point of a cardigan unless you're going to unbutton it? And you ain't going to do that when you have to swing a golf club.

Rose now birdies the Postage Stamp 

Putt must be about 13ft. He punches the air in celebration it keeps his hand aloft, fist clenched. He is now tied with Horschel at the top on -6. The top of the leaderboard is beginning to separate out a little. There are nine golfers under par.

Horrible double bogey for Scheffler on 9th

He had a par putt of nine feet. 

That is the last time we will see the Postage Stamp this Open

The final pair have just left the 8th green. Lawrence played to the green first and got a good bounce off the bank of a bunker, but could not make his 13ft birdie putt.

Horschel did not get the same good fortune - his ball off the tee rolled into the same sprinkler head hole that Woods ball went into earlier in the tournament. But unlike Woods' ball, his popped out again and rolled on into a bunker. He left himself a putt of five and a half feet – which he missed.

When course design is increasingly favouring length over other considerations, the 8th hole at Royal Troon, The Postage Stamp, is a reminder that good design can trump all. It is the most talked about hole on the course, the hole most associated with this course. It is also the shortest hole here; indeed he shortest hole on any of the courses on the Open rota.

“Challenging a player for his precision as opposed to solely length is a lost art,” Phil Mickelson believes. “The Postage Stamp is a perfect example of how you can challenge the best players in the world. I would love to see that implemented more.”

Royal Troon is not unique in top courses having it shortest hole as it's most memorable. Augusta National has the 12th as it's most famous hole; it is also that course’s shortest hole. Pebble Beach's most famous hole? Well it's the 7th which is 106 yards and was teed to be 92 yards during the 2010 US Open. Think of a hole at TPC Sawgrass and I bet it's probably the 17th, with its island green that springs to mind – again that hole is that layout's shortest hole, at 137 yards.

Outsider

That birdie and celebration by Rose on 8

SCHAUFFELE putting together a tidy round so far

He is out in 34 with birdies on the 6th and 7th. 

Lawrence to the turn in 32 

He is now in that solo lead after birdies on 3, 4, 7 and 9.

Calum Scott wins the the silver medal 

He gets a great ovation as he walks down the 18th fairway. He makes par up on the green and it round in 76 today. He is +8 and wins Low Amateur honours by three shots. We have a Scottish winner in Scotland.

Burns goes offline and on line

His tee shot on the 11th ends up on railway line. That looks to have put paid to any  outside chances of him winning.

Rahm is clubhouse leader

All the predictions were that it would be much harder on the back nine. Rahm has been the poster boy for this today: he was out in 32 with four birdies and five pars, back in 36. 

Rahm has set a clubhouse target of -1. He is T8, a rise of seven places on the day but six shots off the lead.

What exemptions does the Open winner get?

The winner of The Open will qualify automatically for the Open Championships until he is aged of 55, or for the next ten Opens – whichever is the later date.

He also gains a five-year exemptions to all the other three Majors and The Players Championship, and have membership of the DP World Tour and PGA Tour for five years.

When the time comes, he will also get a lifetime invitation to the Senior Open Championship and the Senior PGA Championship, and a one-year invitation to the US Senior Open.

Rose has a lot of fans on and off the course

Bogey for Rose on 12

He missed the green on the right hand side and his bump-and-run was more bump than run. This left him around 20 feet from the hole. His putt skimmed the edge of the hole. 

Rose gifts himself a chance to get one back on 13 

He has got a birdie putt of around nine feet.

Lawrence in trouble on 12 

This has been a flawless ground so far from the South African. But he has a wee challenge to make par here. His tee shot found the rough and his approach shot went well - or perhaps badly, that should be - off to the right. 

Another birdie for SCHAUFFELE

It comes on the 13th, and is his fourth of the day. He is now joint leader.

Lawrence  drops a shot on 12th 

His recovery is a decent one, but it still leaves him 14 foot from the pin. He does not make the putt.

Another birdie for SCHAUFFELE

He is five under for his last eight holes and is taking control of this Open. If he can just make pars from here on in it will be hard for anyone to catch him.

Where are the next Open Championships being held?

Next year The Open is at Royal Portrush, in Northern Ireland. It will be the third time it has been played there. In 1951 Max Faulkner won there, and in 2019 Shane Lowry did.

Then in 2027 Royal Birkdale plays host once again. Since 1954, when it hosted its first Open, Royal Birkdale has hosted the Open more frequently than any course bar St Andrews.

Schauffele knocking them in

Lowry holes from well off the green 

It's on 17 and the ball drops to huge cheers. He goes to -4. 

Schauffele opts not to use driver on 16 

Looks like he's aiming to play conservative golf. It's his Open to win so long as he does not stuff up a hole - and he knows it.  This is risk minimisation tactics.

An American clean sweep? 

If Schauffele does win, it will be the first time Americans have won all the four Majors of a season since 1982.  He would also be the seventh American winner of last eight opens at Troon.

Rose attacks as Schauffele defends 

Justin takes driver off the fairway from 295 yards out and reaches the green in two on the par-5 16th.

Those previous winners at Royal Troon

2016 – Henrik Stenson -20
2004 – Todd Hamilton -10 (playoff)
1997 – Justin Leonard -12
1989 – Mark Calcavecchia -13, playoff
1982 – Tom Watson -4
1973 – Tom Weiskopf -12
1962 – Arnold Palmer -12
1950 – Bobby Locke -1
1923 – Arthur Havers +15

New Clubhouse leader 

It's Shane Lowry, on -4.

Even the very best can do it 

Scottie Scheffler has played a snap hook on the 18th hole  which has not reached the ladies tees. There is hope for us all if this is what the World Number One does.

Rose does not make his 51ft eagle putt 

Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. His bold play yields a birdie, just as Schauffele's more conservative approach does.

ROSE AND SCHAUFFELE HAVE BIRDIE PUTTS ON THE 17TH

Both Rose and Schauffele have found the par 3 17th green. Rose putts first and yet another birdie putt burns the side of the hole. He has struck the ball so well today but the putts have just not dropped. Now it is Schauffele's turn. Surely he is just going to cosy the ball up to the hole to leave him with a three shot lead going up the last. 

SCHAUFFELE HAS THIS IN THE BAG NOW

Schauffele and Rose have just both made par on the 17th and the American has a three-shot lead heading up the last.

ANOTHER BRILLIANT FINAL ROUND from SCHAUFFELE

Schauffele won the PGA Championship earlier this year with a final round 65 for his first Major and he is on course for another classic final round here. 

SCHAUFFELE AND ROSE BOTH FIND FAIRWAY UP 18

Schauffele and Rose have both hit fine tee shots up the 18th on to the fairway. Rose to play first from 195 yards and he has hit a beauty into 15 feet. Schauffele then follows him on to the green to about 20 feet and he is likely to have at least two putts from there for the title but he will have to wait until the two groups behind them make it mathematical certain.

The engraver starts work

Schauffele and Rose get a magnificent reception walking up the 18th green. Schauffele has a three shot lead and the engraver has started work.

Schauffele has a putt for a final round 64

His putt comes up short but he has a tap in par for a final round 65 which will go down as one of the finest Open rounds. 

ROSE CURLS IN A BIRDIE PUTT BUT IT IS SCHAUFFELE WHO GOES DOWN IN HISTORY

Superb finish from Rose who curls in a birdie for a final round 67. On another day it might have won the championship but Schauffele has just been too good and has holed more putts in his bogey-free round. Schauffele joins Jack Nicklaus in being the only players to shoot 65 or lower more than once to win a Major.

Xander just waits for play to be completed to lift Claret Jug 

The final group of Lawrence and Horschel are coming up the 18th at -6 and confirmation of Schauffele's win at -9 is just a formality.

FINAL PLACES CONFIRMED AS PLAY CONCLUDED

Schauffele's final round 65 will live long in the memory but he was pushed all the way by playing partner Justin Rose who carded a 67 with a birdie at the last as Schauffele won by two shots from Rose and Billy Horschel who birdied the last three holes to record a 68. Schauffele is the latest in a long line of American winners at Troon with six in a row before Henrik Stenson's win in 2016.

SCHAUFFELE DOES ANOTHER INTERVIEW AFTER GETTING THE TROPHY

Schauffele added: "I can't wait to drink out of it. It really is a dream come true. I can't wait to sit back and have a moment with this Claret Jug. I had this sense of calm and felt collected coming down the stretch but my caddie said he was about to puke on the 18th tee."

Schauffele stats

Schauffele's win takes him up to No.2 in the world. He is the first player since Rory McIlroy in 2014 to win the PGA Championship and Open in the same season. He is also the first player to win two Majors in a season since 2015 and it is the first time all the Majors have been won by Americans since 1982.

SKY'S TIM BARTER SPEAKS TO SCHAUFFELE 

Schauffele said: "I am still over the moon. The standing ovation coming down 18 is exactly how I have dreamt of it. I knew the holes coming in were very difficult and was hoping if I could make a few birdies, it would be enough. I didn't let myself dream too far until after I hit my iron shot on 17."

AN EMOTIONAL ROSE REFLECTS ON HIS NEAR MISS

Rose, 43, said: "I felt like we played unbelievable golf. I couldn't be more proud of myself. Sometimes it is OK to be beaten by someone who shoots 31 on the back nine. Xander is a cold, cool competitor. I gave it everything this week. I wanted to come off the course with no regrets in terms of playing front-footed golf and I did that. It proves once again I love the stage and big-time golf and being in the moment. I am at my best when I am in these type of situations. I just have to find a way to be more consistent to create more of these chances. Xander is one of the best players in the world and I stood up with him and felt like I could take the punches and maybe go a few more rounds."

AMERICAN DOMINANCE CONTINUES AT TROON

Schauffele's victory at Troon is the seventh by an American in the last eight Opens on the Ayrshire course. Henrik Stenson's win in 2016 ended a run which saw Todd Hamilton (2004),  Justin Leonard (1997), Mark Calcavecchia (1989), Tom Watson (1982), Tom Weiskopf (1973) and Arnold Palmer (1962) win previously. 

SHANE LOWRY REFLECTS ON HIS -4 FINISH AND TIED SIXTH PLACE

Lowry said: "I feel like I played unbelievable golf all week. I feel like I hit the ball as well as I've ever done but Xander just doesn't really hit many bad shots, does he? He's obviously good when he's out in front. Now that he's got one, it looks like he's going to get another one."

HORSCHEL DISAPPOINTED WITH HIS FINAL ROUND BUT DECLARES SCHAUFFELE A WORTH WINNER

Third round leader Billy Horschel, who was -3 to finish -7 in a tie for second, reflected: "He's the second best player this year in the world. No one has played better than him in my opinion. He's got two Majors. He's been up there consistently, having chances to win. Obviously Scottie has got five or six wins and a Major, but what Xander has done this year, the consistency he plays with, he's taken his game to another level. He deserves to hold that Claret Jug right now."

ROSE BELIEVES SCHAUFFELE IS BLOOMING 

Magnanimous Rose reflected: "Xander is a guy that has all the attributes that make him a great player and a great champion. He has a lot of horsepower, in the sense of
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. He plays with a freedom, which kind of tells you as a competitor that he's probably not feeling a tonne of the bad stuff. He's got a lot of runway ahead and a lot of exciting stuff ahead, I'm sure."