Welcome to GOLF.com’s “Seen & Heard” video series, in which we give you an inside look at golf’s biggest events through the eyes and ears of our onsite crew. On deck this week: the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon.
ICYMI: Tiger talks, Rory’s confession | Seen & Heard at the Open Championship Day 1
ICYMI: Scheffler’s rust, MacIntyre’s wild celebration | Seen & Heard at the Open Championship Day 2
ICYMI: Tiger’s major letdown, Lowry battles | Seen & Heard at the Open Championship
The 54-hole mark of the 2024 Open Championship presented numerous what-ifs. Billy Horschel led the charge by a single shot, but there were a dozen players who you could argue had a legitimate chance of claiming the title.
After a brutal day of weather on Saturday, Sunday was dry, with whipping wind. Eighteen holes remained to crown the champion.
GOLF’s Sean Zak was bullish on Xander Schauffele’s chances from the beginning.
“You play links golf, it’s all about controlling a golf ball. It’s an underrated skill,” he said. “I think Xander’s gonna pip ’em today.”
Zak’s prediction played out, and Xander Schauffele was crowned Champion Golfer of the year by two shots — earning his second major championship title and leaving his chasers, like Shane Lowry and Justin Rose, disappointed but proud of their efforts.
As for Schauffele, he was content to bask in the afterglow of the win.
“It really is one of the coolest feelings I’ve ever had in my life,” he said. “I got chills walking down [18].
“I’m just curious to see what my dad’s gonna pick as a first drink to drink out of this.”
GOLFs’ James Colgan caught up with Schauffele’s father, Stefan, after the round, and he issued a stunning prediction.
“He said, of all the golfers alive right now, Xander is the closest to completing the career grand slam,” Colgan said. “And then he looked at me after he said that, with a smile, and said, ‘How about that?'”
How about that, indeed.
Schauffele and his peers have a long wait for the next major test at the Masters in 2025. Before that, we have the Olympics, the FedEx Cup and the Presidents Cup to enjoy. But for those of us intrigued by Stefan Schauffele’s prediction, the countdown to Augusta starts … now.
To watch a video of the GOLF’s team full Sunday experience at the Open, check out the video above. You can also view the “Seen & Heard” series in its entirety on YouTube here.
