Schauffele's 2nd Major of 2024, Sharma at T19, Now Eyes Paris Olympics.

Posted by Admin 22 Jul 2024

Royal Troon Serves the Final round Of The 152nd Open

Written by : Divyanshu Sahu

With drama, tension, and, in the end, unbridled joy, the final round of The 152nd Open unfolded as one of the most thrilling experiences in golf. The day began dry with bright sunny spells but became mostly cloudy in the afternoon. A few brief showers arrived late in the day, adding to the unpredictability and excitement of the event.

The day began dry with bright sunny spells (via PGA Tour)

After spending so long as a major winner in waiting, Schauffele now has two major titles in three months, following his triumph at May’s PGA Championship. He has truly become the man for the big occasion.

A Champion Emerges

Xander Schauffele emerged from the pack, producing the round of his life to become Champion Golfer of the Year on an enthralling final day at Royal Troon. The 30-year-old separated himself from the rest of the field with a run of four birdies in six holes on Troon’s treacherous back nine. From there, he was uncatchable.

Xander Schauffele giving Signature pose at The Royal Troon after winning the Claret Jug (via TPGA Tour)

His total of 275, nine-under-par, secured a two-stroke winning margin over Justin Rose and Billy Horschel. They could only stand and applaud as Schauffele's final-round 65 took the victory out of their hands. This was not a Championship lost, but a Championship won in a style that will be talked about for generations.

“As a kid, you dream of it,” Schauffele said. “I tried to force myself to dream of it as of late. It's surreal. It is a dream come true."

A Super Sunday

Sunday saw the lead of The 152nd Open change hands numerous times. Horschel started with a one-shot advantage over six players, but by the time he reached the 1st green, it had evaporated. Rose, playing alongside Schauffele, birdied the 2nd to join Horschel on four-under-par.

Billy Horschel tied for T2 position after having a winning streak at the open (via PGA Tour)

Rose and Lawrence's Strong Start

Rose also birdied the 4th, and the locals responded, cheering the 1998 Silver Medal winner on in his quest to become the first English Champion in 32 years. Rose came through Final Qualifying just to be at Royal Troon and fist-pumped his way through the first four holes.

Justin Rose become the first English Champion over the years (via PGA Tour)

Then came Thriston Lawrence. The South African shot 65 on Saturday to move into contention and was buoyant about his final-day chances. He birdied 3, 4, 7, and 9 to reach the turn in just 32 strokes.

Lowry's Impressive Run

Up ahead, Shane Lowry also made a run. The Irishman started the day three off the lead, but four birdies in five holes, including one at the Postage Stamp, had Royal Troon swooning. At one stage, there were seven players within one shot of the lead. At another, four players shared it.

Silver for Scott

Schauffele’s performance will go down as one for the ages, and sharing the limelight with him during the presentation was Calum Scott. The Scottish player won the Silver Medal for low amateur and struggled to contain his emotions as he walked up the 18th.

“I could hear all my friends and family and people I know through golf out there,” Scott said. “The support has been brilliant. My caddie and assistant coach said to me to ‘soak this in’ on the 18th. I did and got kind of emotional.”

He was not the only one. From Schauffele’s victory to Scott’s Silver Medal, it was a Sunday to savour.

Shubhankar Sharma Shines at The 152nd Open with T19 Finish

Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma showcased his resilience and skill at The 152nd Open, finishing T19 in the final round, alongside New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier. His performance garnered attention and praise from the golfing community, demonstrating his potential to compete with the best in the world.

Financial Rewards and Future Prospects

The significant prize purse at The Open Championship further highlighted Sharma’s achievement. His T19 finish earned him $176,367, a substantial financial reward that not only solidifies his standing but also enables him to invest further in his training and preparations for future tournaments. This remarkable performance provides a significant boost to Sharma’s confidence and prospects for the upcoming Paris Olympic 2024. Competing in such a high-stakes environment has undoubtedly prepared him for the pressure and challenges that lie ahead, serving as a testament to his growing prowess and potential to excel on the Olympic stage.

Inspiration for Indian Golf

Sharma’s success at The Open is an inspiration for aspiring golfers in India, showcasing the potential for Indian athletes to compete and succeed at the highest levels of international golf. His journey from local circuits to sharing the leaderboard with global golfing giants is a story of perseverance and dedication.

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