As Xander Schauffele revels in achieving the first American sweep of the four men’s majors in 42 years, it’s a perfect moment to contemplate the exhilarating chaos of top-tier UK links golf.
It truly embodies the sport in its most authentic and refined essence.
Schauffele triumphed at a prestigious Open held at Royal Troon—a course that offered an ultimate challenge as nature unleashed its fury on the world’s elite golfers.
In the end, the championship fell to the deserving competitor, as the 30-year-old Olympic gold medalist claimed his second major title of 2024. While Scottie Scheffler has enjoyed recent successes, Schauffele rightfully earns the title of ‘champion golfer of the year’.
This Open had it all—unexpected contenders, high-profile exits, and a remarkable final push for the coveted Claret Jug.
The intense four days along the Ayrshire coast felt worlds apart from the sweltering conditions and lenient course settings that marked Valhalla in May, where Schauffele clinched his first major title at the US PGA.
Troon provided a rigorous test. The unusual winds over the first two days disrupted the adage that the front nine scores should be maintained on the notoriously tough back half.
The traditional Troon challenge was completely upended. These unpredictable conditions left the likes of Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau, who had triumphed in last month’s US Open, bewildered.
Highly touted newcomer Ludwig Aberg also faced an early exit as the shot-making limitations of several top players were brutally revealed.
The routine expectations of the PGA Tour, where going for distance and ease to receptive greens pays off, were not what was needed in the past week.
The challenging deep bunkers with steep faces intimidated the competitors at this Open. Players had to shape their shots perfectly, utilizing the winds to drop their balls into precise landing zones.
Chipping from the tight links turf required sheer accuracy; at times, a putter was the better choice. The key was to keep the ball low and creatively navigate the stunning golfing landscape.
Staying mentally strong as cold rain whipped sideways on Saturday afternoon was essential to avoid having title hopes dashed. These are the rigors of golf in its most authentic form.
Justin Rose and Billy Horschel—the leader after 54 holes—fought with tenacity, celebrating par putts that kept them in contention on the iconic yellow leaderboards by the home green.
Shane Lowry expressed frustration with the demanding course setup, particularly annoyed that drivers were necessary to reach the green on the lengthy par-three 17th.
He didn’t perform poorly in his Saturday score of 77, but that ultimately hindered his chance for a second Open title. He had a point, to some degree.
Nevertheless, with today’s advanced ball and club technology, it was refreshing to see these superstars pushed to their limits. Ultimately, it was his chilly putter on that biting Saturday afternoon that let him down.
