American golfer Xander Schauffele claimed victory in the 152nd British Open at Royal Troon on Sunday, delivering a flawless final round of 65 to secure the Claret Jug. Starting the day one stroke behind leader Billy Horschel, the third-ranked Schauffele maintained his composure, showcasing a near-perfect performance to conclude at nine-under 275.
Schauffele's triumph was sealed when he made par on the 18th green, despite South Africa's Thriston Lawrence, the earlier tournament leader, still completing his round. Justin Rose, aiming to be the first English winner since Nick Faldo in 1992, finished tied for second, two strokes behind, after a nearly error-free weekend. Horschel joined Rose at seven under with a birdie on the 18th, while Lawrence and American Russell Henley finished fourth and fifth respectively.
At 30, Schauffele had previously dominated the PGA Championship in May, setting a record with a 21-under-par finish. He carried this confidence to the Ayrshire coast, demonstrating precision golf with 16 of 18 greens in regulation and nine of 14 fairways hit. His win marks the seventh consecutive major won by an American, and the first time since 1982 that Americans have swept all four majors in a season.
Despite challenging weather conditions that left 24 players within six shots of the lead, Schauffele's accuracy off the tee and on the greens proved decisive, with six birdies and no bogeys. Justin Rose's early birdies raised hopes for a British winner, but Schauffele's consecutive birdies at the sixth and seventh shifted the momentum. Despite Lawrence's brief lead, Schauffele's consistent performance, including birdies on the treacherous 11th and 13th, secured his victory.
Rose, a former US Open champion, had opportunities but could only manage birdies, while Schauffele continued to extend his lead. Reflecting on his performance, Schauffele expressed his excitement about winning the Claret Jug, while Rose acknowledged Schauffele's superior momentum and competitive edge.
