Xander Schauffele wins 2024 British Open

Xander Schauffele (YouTube)

For the second time this year, the reigning Olympic gold medalist Xander Schauffele of San Diego, California is a major champion. On Sunday from Royal Troon, Schauffele won the British Open after winning the PGA Championship earlier this year.

Schauffele posted a four round score of -9. Round three leader Billy Horschel of Grant-Valkaria, Florida and 2016 Olympic gold medalist and 2013 United States Open champion Justin Rose of England tied for second place at -7. South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence was alone in fourth place at -6.

Schauffele began the tournament on Thursday with a score of two-under-par 69. That was followed by a score of one-over-par 72 on Friday, two-under-par 69 on Saturday, and then a score of six-under-par 65 on Sunday. In the fourth and final round, Schauffele birdied the sixth, seventh, 11th, 13th, 14th, and 16th holes.

We also saw a sweep when it came to American major men’s golf champions in 2024. In addition to the two major titles for Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler of Ridgewood, New Jersey won the Masters, and Bryson DeChambeau of Modesto, California won the 2024 United States Open.

This is the first time we have seen an American sweep of the men’s majors since 1982. Forty-two years ago, Tom Watson of Kansas City, Missouri won the British Open and United States Open, Raymond Floyd of Fort Bragg, North Carolina won the PGA Championship, and Craig Stadler of San Diego won the Masters.

Overall, this is the 10th time that American golfers have won every men’s major in a calendar year. In addition to 1982 and 2024, it happened in 1946, 1953, 1964, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1976, and 1977.