If you were watching the leaderboard on that final Sunday at Royal Troon, things felt a bit... crowded. Honestly, it was a mess of names. For a good while there, about six or seven guys had a genuine shot at walking away with the Claret Jug. But then, Xander Schauffele just decided he was done with the drama.
He didn't just win; he sort of dismantled the back nine of one of the hardest courses on the planet.
So, who won The Open 2024? It was Xander Schauffele, the 30-year-old American who, up until about three months prior, was everyone’s favorite "best player to never win a major." By the time he tapped in on the 18th hole in Scotland, he hadn't just secured his second major of the year—he’d essentially closed the book on any doubts about his ability to finish.
The Sunday Surgery at Royal Troon
Most people remember the highlights, but the actual vibe on the ground was tense. You had Billy Horschel starting the day with a slim lead. You had Justin Rose, the veteran Englishman, playing some of the most inspired golf of his life, trying to end a decades-long drought for his home country.
Then there was the South African, Thriston Lawrence, who quietly turned in a front-nine 32 to take the lead. For a second there, it looked like we were headed for a wild playoff or a sentimental Rose victory.
Then came the turn.
Royal Troon’s back nine is notorious. It’s a gauntlet of wind, gorse, and deep bunkers that look like they were dug for trench warfare. While everyone else was hanging on for dear life, Schauffele went on a clinical tear.
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- Birdie on 11.
- Birdie on 13.
- Birdie on 14.
- Birdie on 16.
He shot a 65. In that wind? That’s basically like playing a different sport than everyone else. He finished at 9-under par, two clear of Rose and Horschel.
Why 2024 Was Different for Xander
For years, the knock on Xander was that he was too consistent for his own good. He’d finish T-5, T-10, collect his massive paycheck, and go home. People called him a "bridesmaid."
But something clicked in 2024.
Maybe it was the work he did with Chris Como, or maybe it was just the monkey off his back after winning the PGA Championship at Valhalla earlier in the summer. Whatever it was, he turned into a closer. At the PGA, he needed a birdie on the last hole to beat Bryson DeChambeau. At the Open, he didn't wait for the last hole. He just squeezed the life out of the competition over the final two hours.
His dad, Stefan Schauffele—the "Ogre" as he’s affectionately known—was there in Scotland, too. He’d missed the win at Valhalla, but seeing him in his trademark fedora and sunglasses next to the Claret Jug felt like a full-circle moment for a family that’s built Xander into a "human metronome" of a golfer.
The Stats That Actually Matter
If you’re a numbers person, Schauffele’s 2024 major season is basically historic. It’s hard to overstate how rare it is to do what he did.
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He became the first person since Brooks Koepka in 2018 to win two majors in a single calendar year. He also joined Rory McIlroy (2014) as the only players to win the PGA and The Open in the same season in the last decade.
He didn't just win, though. Look at the consistency:
- Masters: T8
- PGA Championship: Winner
- U.S. Open: T7
- The Open: Winner
That is a cumulative score to par that makes the rest of the world’s elite look like they’re struggling. He averaged over four birdies a round across all sixteen rounds of major championship golf this year. Honestly, it’s a bit ridiculous.
The "Postage Stamp" and the Troon Factor
We have to talk about the course because Royal Troon is a character in itself. The 8th hole, the "Postage Stamp," is this tiny par-3 that shouldn't be scary. It’s about 120 yards. You or I could hit a wedge there.
But if you miss? You’re in "The Coffin" bunker.
Scottie Scheffler, the world number one and the guy everyone expected to dominate, actually fell apart a bit on the greens. He had a double-bogey on the 9th on Sunday that effectively ended his charge. It goes to show that even the best ball-striker in the world can be humbled by a bit of Scottish rain and some small, tricky greens.
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Schauffele, however, gained over 10 strokes on the field on approach shots alone. His iron play was so precise that he was rarely putting himself in those "death or glory" situations that sank Shane Lowry or Dustin Johnson.
What This Means for Golf Moving Forward
The narrative has officially shifted. For the last couple of years, it’s been the "Scottie Scheffler Show." And rightfully so—the guy wins almost every time he tees it up. But with two majors in three months, Xander Schauffele has made a massive case for being the best "big game" hunter in the world right now.
It’s also worth noting that American golfers swept all four majors in 2024.
- Scottie Scheffler (Masters)
- Xander Schauffele (PGA & Open)
- Bryson DeChambeau (U.S. Open)
That hasn’t happened in 42 years. It’s a dominant era for U.S. golf, even with the LIV/PGA Tour split still looming over the sport like a dark cloud.
What You Should Take Away
If you're looking to improve your own game based on what Xander did, the lesson isn't about hitting the ball 350 yards. It’s about "boring" golf.
Schauffele’s caddie, Austin Kaiser, often talks about how they focus on "center of the green" targets and high-percentage plays. On Sunday, Xander didn't chase pins; he just hit solid shots and waited for the putts to drop. When they did, he won. When they didn't, he still made par.
Practical Next Steps:
- Watch the Replay of the Back Nine: If you can find the "Every Shot" feed of Xander's final nine holes, watch his tempo. It never changes, whether he's leading by two or tied for the lead.
- Study the Course Map: Look at how Troon is designed. The "out and in" routing means you have the wind at your back for the first nine and in your face for the last nine. It’s a masterclass in course management.
- Track Your Own "Major" Stats: Start tracking your greens in regulation (GIR). Xander won because he hit more greens than anyone else. If you stop missing in the "wrong" places, your scores will drop faster than any new driver could ever manage.
Xander Schauffele is your 2024 Champion Golfer of the Year. He earned it with a 65 that will be talked about for a long time.