TROON, Scotland — Xander Schauffele secured his place in golfing history on Sunday with a commanding victory at the British Open, held at the prestigious Royal Troon. This triumph marks Schauffele’s second major championship win of the year, further demonstrating his exceptional skill and composure under pressure. With a final round score of 6-under 65, Schauffele not only overcame a two-shot deficit but also played a pivotal role in achieving an American sweep of the majors for the first time since 1982.

Schauffele's remarkable performance at Royal Troon follows his recent triumph at the PGA Championship at Valhalla, where he clinched the title with a crucial 6-foot birdie putt on the final hole. The final round of the British Open was set for high drama, featuring nine players within a three-shot range at the start. Yet, Schauffele executed his strategy with extraordinary precision, making the challenging conditions along the Irish Sea seem almost effortless.

Facing a strong, chilly wind and the demanding layout of Royal Troon, Schauffele maintained a bogey-free round. His adept management of the heavy air off the Firth of Clyde and his navigation of the notoriously tough links course were evident as he surged ahead with three birdies in a crucial four-hole stretch on the back nine. This impressive sequence allowed him to move from two shots behind to a commanding lead that extended to as many as three shots, ultimately securing his victory by a two-shot margin.

The final standings saw American golfer Billy Horschel and English veteran Justin Rose finishing in second place. Rose, at 43 years old, had to endure a rigorous 36-hole qualification just to compete, and despite his commendable final round of 67, he could not match Schauffele’s brilliance. Horschel, who began the day with a one-shot lead and was striving for his first major title, faltered during the round but finished strongly with birdies on his last three holes, posting a 68 for his best major finish to date.

Schauffele’s main rival during the final round was Thriston Lawrence of South Africa, who had started the day with a strong front nine, including three birdies over a four-hole stretch. Schauffele’s decisive shift occurred on the 11th hole, where he expertly navigated a wedge from the rough to within 3 feet for a birdie. He continued his impressive play with a birdie on the 13th hole and concluded his pivotal stretch with a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-3 14th. Lawrence, who had held the lead, dropped a shot on the 12th hole and struggled to regain momentum, ultimately finishing with a 68. Nonetheless, his performance earned him a coveted invitation to the Masters in April, marking his debut at Augusta National.

Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 player, briefly challenged the lead early in the round but was hindered by a three-putt double bogey on the ninth hole and a topped tee shot on the 18th that resulted in another double bogey. Scheffler concluded his round with a 72, finishing tied for seventh place.

Schauffele’s victory not only adds the prestigious claret jug to his collection but also signifies a milestone achievement in his career. Transitioning from the heavy PGA Championship trophy to the smaller, venerable claret jug, Schauffele has demonstrated his versatility and excellence across diverse golfing challenges. His final score of 9-under 275 secured him a prize of $3.1 million, propelling his season earnings past the $15 million mark and affirming his status as one of the foremost players in the sport.