‘Lot of weapons’: Scheffler’s reign under threat as Open course’s true horror exposed — Talking Points

‘Lot of weapons’: Scheffler’s reign under threat as Open course’s true horror exposed — Talking Points

Xander Schauffele produced a back nine for the ages at Royal Troon on Sunday to secure the coveted Claret Jug and his second major triumph in just three months.

While Scottie Scheffler is hailed as the dominant world No. 1, his compatriot surely has claims to being recognised as the champion golfer for the year.

Adam Scott, meanwhile, said pride is driving plus-40 golfers including himself, Sergio Garcia and Dustin Johnson, while Jason Day is looking forward to his first Olympics.

And with Troon proving treacherous throughout the weekend, did the famous Postage Stamp prove the ultimate wrecker for the Open, or was the rail hole more deadly?

Talking points for the British Open with the major season at an end.

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SCHAUFFELE OR SCHEFFLER? GOLF’S SURPRISE POWER SHIFT

As Xander Schauffele walked across the 18th green to accept the Claret Jug on Sunday, he was announced to a standing ovation from the stands surrounding the last as the year’s “Champion Golfer”.

It is a turn of phrase which accompanies the Open winner every year and in normal circumstances Schauffele, who won his first major championship at Valhalla in May when securing the US PGA Championship, would have a lock on that honour.

But given the deeds of Scottie Scheffler, who loomed on the front nine but never really set Troon alight through the four days when finishing in a tie for seventh at 1-under, it is a debate golf fans are certain to have throughout the remainder of the season.

When it was put to Schauffele that players who win two majors in a season are “considered the best players” of a generation, the 30-year-old played a straight bat.

“I don’t really think that way, I guess. I think the guys in the ‘States’ sort of know how these pressers go,” he said.

“Pretty much that’s your guys’ job to speculate on those things. I’m just trying to win as many of these things as I can and play the best golf as I can and be a decent guy. So I’ll let you ponder that one.”

TROON, SCOTLAND – JULY 21: Daniel Brown of England interacts with Scottie Scheffler of the United States on the 18th green during day four of The 152nd Open championship at Royal Troon on July 21, 2024 in Troon, Scotland.

TROON, SCOTLAND – JULY 21: Daniel Brown of England interacts with Scottie Scheffler of the United States on the 18th green during day four of The 152nd Open championship at Royal Troon on July 21, 2024 in Troon, Scotland.

Overnight leader Billy Horschel said that Schauffele deserved to hoist the Claret Jug aloft but was the No. 2 golfer in the world.

“Listen, 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 said.

“I don’t know if he’s won anywhere else before the PGA, but 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.”

Justin Rose, who finished in a tie for second with Horschel at 7-under, two shots behind Schauffele, praised the quality of his game.

“(He is) a guy at the top of his game, a guy that has all the attributes that make him a great player and a great champion. He’s obviously now learning that the winning is easy,” he said.

“He has a lot of horsepower, do you know what I mean? In the sense that 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. I don’t know what he’s feeling, but he certainly makes it look very easy.

“He plays with a freedom, which kind of tells you as a competitor that he’s probably not feeling a ton of the bad stuff. He’s got a lot of runway ahead and a lot of exciting stuff ahead, I’m sure.”

AN AMERICAN AT TROON? YOU SHOULD HAVE BET ON IT.

Royal Troon is vastly different to the manicured beauties that the PGA Tour travels to from week to week and for players including recent major winner Bryson deChambeau, its intricacies cannot be tamed by brute strength and raw power. It will not be bullied.

But Americans do have a remarkable record at Troon, with Schauffele adding his name to the compatriots who have largely dominated The Open when it is played at the famous course.

England’s Arthur Havers won the first Open played at Troon in 1923 and South African great Bobby Locke the second in 1950.