In July 2024, Xander Schauffele etched his name into golf history by capturing The Open Championship at Royal Troon a powerful follow up to his earlier PGA Championship victory securing his second major title of the year.
Majors of a Lifetime: PGA & Open Victories
To begin the summer, Schauffele captured his first career major at the 2024 PGA Championship in May at Valhalla. He posted a record breaking 21 under par, leading wire to wire and sinking a dramatic birdie at the 18th to seal the title by one stroke over Bryson DeChambeau the lowest score ever in a major at that time(Globedge).
Then came Royal Troon, where Schauffele produced another masterpiece. On Sunday, he carded a sensational bogey free 65 his second final round 65 of the season to finish at 9 under. He held off strong challenges from Justin Rose and Billy Horschel to win by two strokes, claiming the Claret Jug as Champion Golfer of the Year (The Open).
Mental Fortitude Delivers Back Nine Surge
While many rosters entered The Open with strong contenders, Schauffele’s calm demeanor and precision swing made the difference. Players like Rose, Horschel, and Thriston Lawrence were within striking distance early, but Schauffele’s clutch performance on holes 11, 13, 14, and 16 created separation during what most deemed the toughest stretch of the day. His four under back nine stood out on a day when most struggled illustrating his consistency under pressure (Golf).
As Schauffele himself reflected:
“I think winning the first one helped me a lot… I had some feeling of calmness… one of the hardest back nines I’ve ever played.” (Golf, Allenmore Golf Course)
Historical Significance: Rare Double & American Sweep
Winning both the PGA Championship and The Open in the same calendar year places Schauffele in elite company. He became the first golfer to do this since Rory McIlroy in 2014, and only the sixth overall to win his first two majors within one year polluting the PGA Tour era standards (ESPN.com).
His victory also capped a remarkable American season: the first U.S. clean sweep of all four majors since 1982, with Scottie Scheffler at The Masters, Bryson DeChambeau at the U.S. Open, and Schauffele claiming the final two majors (CBSSports.com).
Emotional High Points & Personal Touch
After the victory, Schauffele celebrated with a touching gesture letting his father, Stefan Schauffele, take the first drink from the Claret Jug. Reflecting on the season, the moment captured a blend of personal pride and wider significance: dominance on golf’s biggest stages (Talksport).
His composed posture and controlled mindset epitomised his approach precision, patience, and mental resolve qualities increasingly defining his elite status on tour.
Legacy & Looking Forward
At just 30, Schauffele had already shed the label of a “nearly man” in majors. His 2024 campaign signaled that he belongs among the elite capable of delivering under major championship pressure (New York Post).
Even in 2025, he returned to The Open as a notable defending champion, though hampered by injury struggles and a quieter season highlighting how rare and impactful his 2024 was (The Open).
Summary
- In May 2024, Schauffele won his first major at the PGA Championship, posting 21 under to set a new scoring record (Wikipedia).
- In July, he clinched The Open Championship with a bogey free final round 65, becoming Champion Golfer of the Year at Royal Troon, finishing at 9 under and two strokes ahead of Rose and Horschel (The Open).
- He became the first golfer since 2014 to win the PGA and Open in the same year, and only the sixth player in recent history to win two majors in one season (ESPN.com).
- His victories completed the first-ever American sweep of all four major titles in a single year since 1982.
