The Open news: Scheffler almost whacks rival in head in as Schauffele crowned champion
The final day of the Open Championship saw Xander Schauffele lift the Claret Hug after a scintillating final round.
The Open at Royal Troon enters the final round with Billy Horschel, Dan Bown and Justin Rose battling
Day four of the Open championship is upon us at Royal Troon, as Sunday on the famous links is set to crown the victor of the 152nd installment of the most famous competition in golf.
After many years of misery, England may have soon have a winner of the Open once again. Both Dan Brown and Justin Rose remain firmly in contention, as kinder weather conditions are promised on the Ayrshire coastline.
Saturday saw a deluge of rain and swirling winds, which transformed the links into a battlefield of misery. Lost balls, shanked shots and disgusting lies soon became common place.
One man who somehow emerged through it all however is today’s current leader; American ace Billy Horschel.
The 37-year-old leads on the final day of a major for the first time in his career, and is steadfast in his pledge of getting the job done.
Elsewhere in the field Ireland’s Shane Lowry is desperate to bounce back from a painful collapse on Saturday, while even-par lurkers Matthew Jordan and Adam Scott are looking to make a late play for victory.
Stay with Express Sport all day for every drop of action from Royal Troon, LIVE!
4 days ago22:54 Fraser Watson
Good night!
What a Sunday. What an Open Championship. And what a week in the career of Xander Schauffele.
Thank you for following our coverage. The next major? The US Masters next April.
Good night.
4 days ago22:14 Fraser Watson
Top-10 qualify for 2025 Open Championship
So we know who definitely will be at Royal Portrush next year.
Even par was just enough to guarantee a spot. Along with Daniel Brown, Matthew Jordan and Adam Scott sneak in as automatic qualifiers.
Sunday’s final leaderboard from The 152nd Open.@nttdata | #Leaderboard | #NTTDATAWall pic.twitter.com/DlMiYAEhnt
\u2014 The Open (@TheOpen) July 21, 2024
4 days ago21:15 Fraser Watson
Brown will be back
Dan Brown’s fairytale Open debut ended with a top-10 finish after a testing final round at Royal Troon.Brown was the shock story of the week, bursting into contention despite being a huge outsider with the bookmakers.Whilst he struggled to make his mark on Sunday, the Englishman ensured he would be returning for Royal Portrush next year after finishing tied-10th“At the minute it’s probably a little bit more disappointment, but when I reflect, I’ll obviously be very pleased,” he said.Brown shared the week with teenage-brother Ben, a talented golfer who also attempted to qualify at West Lancashire. Asked what it was like to have his sibling beside him, Brown said: “Amazing. He’s getting a nice little payday. Not too bad for a 19-year-old.”To cap off his week Brown was partnered alongside world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in round four, and it was company he enjoyed.“He’s a really nice guy. Obviously I’ve never met him before, so I wasn’t too sure how it would go, but we had a good time. It wasn’t quite how we both wanted it to end, but yeah, it was fun.”
4 days ago20:40 Fraser Watson
Scheffler’s bizarre round
By Joshua Lees @ Royal Troon….
Scottie Scheffler’s bizarre final round at Royal Troon was summed up by two blunders as a chance to win the Claret Jug passed him by.
World No.1 Scheffler, 28, lurked ominously behind the leaders, three shots off the lead heading into his final round, but he had to settle for a share of seventh place at one-under-par
His bid to add a third major championship was derailed at the par-four ninth, when he followed a poor tee shot with three putts from inside nine feet for a double bogey. Numerous birdie putts slipped past the cup and by the time the American reached the last, he was out of the race.
His woes were compounded by a dismal tee shot, duck hooking a two-iron just 176 yards into thick rough and he was forced to take a penalty drop after finding his ball in an unplayable lie.
He would finish with another double bogey and ended eight shots behind the victorious Xander Schauffele.
Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler throws his ball into the crowd on the 18th. (Image: Getty)
4 days ago19:42 Fraser Watson
Clarke backs McIlroy for Royal Portrush
Darren Clarke belives Rory McIlroy’s “God-given talent” will see him challenge strongly at the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush next year.
“Rory’s got every shot so of course he is capable of playing links golf in the wind,” said Clarke. “I played with Rory on Tuesday and in all my years, it’s the best I’ve ever seen a golf ball being struck.
“In all my years, I’ve never seen it compressed and hit with that ball flight. He’s a conundrum because he has God-given talent pouring out of him. You know, you’re Irish. You want to see him do everything. We all support him.”
READ MORE HERE.
4 days ago19:09 Fraser Watson
Clean sweep for America
This bodes well for the Ryder Cup.
For the first time since 1982, all four major championships have gone to American players in a calendar year.
Scottie Scheffler – US Masters: Xander Schauffele – US PGA and Open Championship; Bryson DeChambeau – US Open.
Oh joy…..
Xander Schauffele
Xander Schauffele
4 days ago18:18 Fraser Watson
Birdie for Rose
So Justin Rose gets a birdie on 18 to finish -7. On another day….well.
Par for Schauffele. Forget the old adage of ‘it’s never over until it’s over’.
He’s -9. Thriston Lawrence is heading down the last at -6. It’s over.
4 days ago18:14 Fraser Watson
Standing ovation for Schauffele
And here comes the champion elect.
Xander Schauffele receives a standing ovations down the 18th, having found the green. What a round today. A worthy winner will soon be crowned….
The greatest walk in golf for Xander Schauffele. pic.twitter.com/xYY9yv5D1B
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 21, 2024
4 days ago18:06 Fraser Watson
Schauffele on the brink
Pars for Xander Schauffele and Justin Rose on 17. In truth, the Englishman needed more.
The American has a three shot lead heading down the last…..and he’s found the fairway off the tee.
4 days ago18:00 Fraser Watson
Scheffler shanks his drive on 18
Hope for us all!
Scottie Scheffler, the world No.1, has mishit his tee shot on the 18th and not even reached the women’s tees. His next shot then lands right by an unaware Daniel Brown!
He was -3 anyway and out of contention, but a reminder that even the greatest players can look human.
\ud83d\udde3\ufe0f “He’s world number one folks”
Scottie Scheffler has a mishap on the tee \ud83d\ude2c pic.twitter.com/IqycsRXhT8
\u2014 Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 21, 2024
4 days ago17:53 Fraser Watson
Birdies for Schauffele and Rose
A birdie for Justin Rose on the 16th, but it’s matches by Xander Schauffele.
The American now -9 with two to play, three clear of Rose and Thriston Lawrence.
Name on the trophy?
4 days ago17:52 Fraser Watson
Lowry finishes at -4
A brave round of 68 from Shane Lowry, but the damage was done on Saturday.
He’ll rue that 77 for quite some time.
Daniel Brown
4 days ago17:21 Fraser Watson
New leader!
A huge few minutes here at Royal Troon.
Quickly after Schauffele draws level with him, Thriston Lawrence drops a shot on the 13th. And Xander then drops a birdie putt on the 14th to go -8. He’s two clear.
The American is in the driving seat. Indeed, BetMGM now has him as the 2/11 favourite to lift the Claret Jug.
Our new leader.
Xander Schauffele birdies the 13th. pic.twitter.com/4srLdWkYtq
\u2014 The Open (@TheOpen) July 21, 2024
4 days ago17:14 Fraser Watson
Schauffele birdie
And now two players lead The Open!
Schauffele birdie at the 13th to move to -7. Agonisingly, Justin Rose can’t follow him in as his effort slides by.
That could have been huge….
4 days ago17:04 Fraser Watson
Schauffele charging
As Xander Schauffele moves, Billy Horschel falls.
The Ryder Cup man is now -6, one off leader Lawrence.
Justin Rose is at -5, while Billy Horschel is back to -4. Shane Lowry is -3 but after going through 14, needs birdies and fast.
4 days ago16:35 Fraser Watson
Lawrence leads Rose by one
We are onto the back nine, and still no closer to knowing who will prevail at Royal Troon.
Thriston Lawrence is the leader on -7, one clear of Justin Rose. Xander Schauffele and Billy Horschel are on -5.
Incidentally, the last South African to win The Open? Ernie Els in 2012.
4 days ago15:55 Fraser Watson
Double bogey for Scheffler
Wow. Scheffler misses a seemingly simple putt for bogey on the 9th.
Back to -2 and a hammer blow to the world No.1
4 days ago15:47 Fraser Watson
Horschel and Rose both birdie!
No sooner do I post about a new leader, than the pendulum swings.
Billy Horschel with a birdie at the 6th, now -6 and back in front on his own….no he’s not actually. Rose also picks up a shot on the 8th. Horschel led for mere seconds.
Shane Lowry
4 days ago15:30 Fraser Watson
Mickleson praises MacIntyre
Phil Mickleson seemed to enjoy his final round with Bob MacIntyre.
“He’s tremendous,” he’s told reporters. “It’s great to see another left-handed player and then to have the success he’s had. In the Ryder Cup, he played great and he’s won a few times now. To win his national championship was really cool.
“He hits the ball hard, he’s got a lot of clubhead speed, he is strong with just a great touch and great shot-making skills.
“He’s just a tremendous player and it’s fun for me to have another good young lefty to pull for.”
4 days ago15:18 Fraser Watson
Three-way tie at the top!
Boy, is the pendulum going to swing back and for over the next few hours.
Billy Horschel hits back with a birdie, Thriston Lawrence does the same, and they join Justin Rose on -5.
4 days ago15:11 Fraser Watson
Rose leads!
It’s 26 years since a young Justin Rose came so close to a fairytale at the 1998 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
A different kind of fairytale is developing now. He holes from seven feet for birdie on the par-five fourth, and is now one clear after a bogey for Billy Horschel.
Elsewhere, Shane Lowry is back to -2.
Game on….
Listen to that roar.
Shane Lowry holes a 56ft tramliner to move back into the mix. pic.twitter.com/S0HHNWIy6T
\u2014 The Open (@TheOpen) July 21, 2024
Dan Brown
4 days ago14:48 Fraser Watson
Missed chance for Rose
Huge chance missed for Justin Rose, as his misses a six footer for birdie om the third.
Horschel meanwhile, safely pars the second. As you were…..
4 days ago14:36 Danny Gallagher
Horschel birdie!
Wow, what a way to start.
Immediate hot start from the American, who sinks the long putt on the first to make birdie, and retain his place as outright leader, now at -5.
4 days ago14:33 Danny Gallagher
All players now out
Here we go then!
Every player in the field is out. Billy Horschel on the first hole is on the green in two, but faces a long birdie putt.
Justin Rose, a hole ahead of Horschel, has just clinched an early birdie to go level at the top at -4.
Adam Scott has strung together some birdies to get himself into contention at -2, while Scottie Scheffler is finding form and now sits at -3.
After bogeying the first hole, the darkhorse Dan Brown quickly made amends with a birdie and is still at -3 and among the pack.
It’s all to play for at Royal Troon!
4 days ago14:29 Danny Gallagher
Schauffele sends ‘selfish’ retirement message to Tiger
Xander Schauffele has robustly refuted Colin Montgomerie’s suggestion that Tiger Woods should hang up his clubs. Golf great Woods, 48, made a swift exit from The Open this weekend after carding 14-over-par across the first two rounds.
Yet before Woods had even got underway at Royal Troon, Schauffele had already dismissed Montgomerie’s remarks that Woods ought to retire from the sport.
Montgomerie, 61, faced backlash after telling The Times: “I hope people remember Tiger as Tiger was, the passion and the charismatic aura around him. There is none of that now.
“At Pinehurst, he did not seem to enjoy a single shot, and you think, ‘What the hell is he doing?’ He’s coming to Troon and he won’t enjoy it there either.”
Read more.
4 days ago14:15 Danny Gallagher
What happens if today ends in a tie?
It’s so finely poised at Royal Troon today, we very likely could have numerous players tied for the lead at the end of the day’s play.
In the event of a tie through 72 holes at The Open, the winner of the competition is determined by a four-hole play-off between those at the top of the leaderboard
Players will have to play holes No. 1, 2, 17 and 18. If the score is level between players after all four of those holes have been played then a sudden-death playoff on hole 18 will be used to determine the victor.
Already, nerves are starting to get the better of players and therefore a four-hole playoff will truly show who is capable of keeping their cool when the pressure is amped up to another level.
Read more.
4 days ago13:38 Danny Gallagher
Nightmare start for Justin Thomas!
Wow…
Justin Thomas has just stepped up to the first tee to huge applause, looking composed and confident before starting his final round at even par.
And then… the worst nightmare of every single golfer; he takes a fairway wood and immediately lashes his first shot out of bounds, deep down the right side and almost onto the beach that hugs the first fairway.
It’s hugely embarrassing. Thomas re-tees with a fresh ball, and hits his next shot down into a bunker. It’s looking like a grim opening number on the card for JT.
4 days ago13:09 Danny Gallagher
Rahm on a heater!
Back-to-back birdies on the 1st and 2nd means Jon Rahm is back to even and on the charge.
Vamos!
The weather conditions are quite kind at the moment, and Rahm will really feel he can cause an upset here.
4 days ago13:06 Danny Gallagher
Mickelson magic
Phil Mickelson is still some way off the lead, and entered play today knowing he would not be competing for the Claret Jug, but that hasn’t stopped him sprinkling his magic.
After falling foul to the rough stuff on the Railway hole, as so many have this week, Mickelson opted to get creative with a hybrid club and a baseball stance.
What followed, was pure art. Par was made.
Mickelson has however struggled, at +6 for the day and +12 overall.
Phil Mickelson made par from here. pic.twitter.com/SeZFiTwnlc
\u2014 The Open (@TheOpen) July 21, 2024
4 days ago12:37 Danny Gallagher
Why a Claret Jug?
There is a reason why today’s winner will be presented with a jug, and it roots back to the old traditions of golf.
The initial reward – at the inception of the Open – was a Challenge Belt made of red Morocco leather with silver buckles and emblems, more akin to the Masters’ Green Jacket.
If any player won the Open, which began in 1860, for three consecutive years, they would become the belt’s owner.
Young Tom Morris achieved this feat from 1868 to 1870. With no trophy or belt available, the tournament was not held in 1871 until a solution was found the following year.
The three clubs which hosted the Championship at the time – Prestwick, the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews – agreed that the champion would receive a medal and each club would contribute £10 towards a new trophy.
This trophy was a silver claret jug that was officially named the Golf Champion Trophy, designed in the style of 19th-century jugs used for serving red wine from France’s Bordeaux region. The new trophy couldn’t be presented to the 1872 victor, Morris, as it was still being crafted.
It was finally bestowed upon 1873 champion Tom Kidd. The original trophy was given out until 1927 when it was placed on display at St Andrews, alongside the original Challenge Belt, which was gifted to the golfing mecca by the Morris family.
The winner will receive the Claret Jug, the most prestigious trophy in golf
The winner will receive the Claret Jug, the most prestigious trophy in golf (Image: GETTY)
4 days ago11:47 Danny Gallagher
Billy Horschel the Hammer
Been wondering why American ace Billy Horschel has a golf bag entirely dedicated to West Ham Football Club?
It’s quite a strange link, given the Open leader is a born and bred Floridian, who certainly wasn’t brought up playing British football.
While speaking with the press before the commencement of The Open, Horschel expressed his fondness for West Ham along with discussing the responses he generally gets from British football enthusiasts.
“Listen, whenever I try to come over here I try to get the West Ham bag out and hear ‘Up the Hammers’ and ‘Come on you Irons’,” Horschel jokingly said.
“I’ve been very fortunate that other supporters of other clubs have been gracious enough to be nice to me compared to maybe how they may be to a fellow English person supporting a West Ham fan!”
4 days ago11:43 Danny Gallagher
Today’s prize money
It’s not just a place in history the leaders are competing for today, it’s a very generous slice of cash.
Later today, the winner of the oldest competition in golf will bag close to £2.4million in prize money.
It will mark the biggest prize ever offered to the Champion Golfer of the Year – an increase of £100,000 on last year’s fund, which was taken home by first-time major winner Brian Harman.
FULL PRIZE POT.
4 days ago11:30 Danny Gallagher
Spieth masters the Postage Stamp
Classic, classic Jordan Spieth on the iconic 8th hole.
Spieth stood over the par 3 Postage Stamp, which is playing just 100yards today, and essentially half-shanked his wedge attempt over to the right.
It was an ugly ball flight, landing in the fescue. So wayward that even the bunkers were out of play.
Spieth berated himself on the tee… before walking up to his ball and chipping it straight into the hole for birdie, displaying those characteristic soft hands.
Needless to say, the crowd went wild.
Spieth is now +4 overall, and two-under-par for the day.
Vintage @JordanSpieth. pic.twitter.com/m2VCOgMZud
\u2014 The Open (@TheOpen) July 21, 2024
4 days ago11:04 Danny Gallagher
Harman saved by the bridge!
Defending champion Brian Harman has just witnessed a remarkable stroke of luck.
After lashing a long iron from the tee on the par 4 third hole, he got far too much rollout on the solid links turf.
His ball went bounding on and on, directly to the waiting burn and red stake zone… only to then zip perfectly across a narrow wooden walkway bridge, and nestled in the rough on the other side.
Harman then finds the green with his iron approach, and safely two putts for par.
The American is at +4 today, after collecting a birdie on the first hole.
4 days ago10:34 Danny Gallagher
Lovely start for English
Harris English, starting the day at Troon with a chip-in on the first. It doesn’t come much better.
A nice steadier of the nerves.
He immeditalely gains a stroke, and is at +5.
A fast start for the American on the opening hole. pic.twitter.com/zckXW9iu5k
\u2014 The Open (@TheOpen) July 21, 2024
4 days ago10:20 Danny Gallagher
Sizzling start for Spieth
Jordan Spieth certainly did not have things his way yesterday, but final day is serving up some promise.
The American ace is thru four holes and has already picked up birdies on the first and third.
He currently sits at +4.
4 days ago09:30 Danny Gallagher
Greg Norman appears
Controversial LIV Golf figure Greg Norman showed his class when praising The Open over the weekend.
The 69-year-old was not invited to the celebratory champions’ dinner at the 150th Open at St Andrews as he remains an unpopular figure with some sections of the golfing community due to his work with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
Norman acts as CEO of the breakaway tour and has been embroiled in a war of words with the PGA Tour previously. However, the Aussie was welcomed back at Royal Troon over the weekend.
Norman was spotted donning an official R&A guest badge, and his comments about The Open indicated that he is in no rush to reignite any feuds by praising the competition.
Speaking to Golf Digest, he explained: “The Open has a lot of history for me. To me, it was the best championship of all. The Masters is the Masters, but I put this one up above all four of them because it is a true open. People can come and play [qualify].
“I love the way they rotate the host course and its links golf. In my professional career, I prided myself on coming back and playing the Open Championship.”
4 days ago09:26 Danny Gallagher
Dan Brown, man of the people
After somehow holding his place around the top of the leaderboard on Saturday, surprise package Dan Brown stunned fans both on the course and at home with a gesture picked up by the TV cameras.
The 29-year-old, while smoking a cigarette, strolled over to some fans on the 18th hole and happily stood for a few selfies while waiting to play his shot.
Pro golfers are usually so intensely locked into the zone that no interaction with the crowd takes place during the 18 holes of play, but Brown duly bucked the trend.
The Englishman, who is bidding to be the first Open winner on a debut attempt in 100 years, felt relaxed enough to go about his business while still offering his time to the spectators also braving the downpour of rain.
Ripping darts and taking selfies on the 18th while leading The Open.
Dan Brown is a man of the people. pic.twitter.com/xufQ8K5Ld6
\u2014 Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) July 20, 2024
4 days ago09:18 Danny Gallagher
Sky coverage causes outrage
Fans have been left furious after a segment of commentary by broadcaster Sky Sports at the Open, after Billy Horschel concluded Saturday’s play as clubhouse leader.
The American was in inspired form in horrific weather conditions, but the coverage opted to drop mention to his wife’s battle with alcoholism.
While spectators and pundits were gushing at the American’s fine performance with the clubs, Sky Sports spoke about the issues with alcohol that his wife Brittany previously faced. And fans on X took aim at the sports channel for their comments.
An angry @Ryceezy hissed: “How f***ing revolting of @SkySportsGolf to start off talking about Billy Horschel by going on about his wife’s past alcohol issues like that. Absolutely no need for that at all. Classless.”
“Meanwhile, @KERRZZO wrote: “@SkySportsGolf I don’t see the relevance in bringing up Billy Horschel’s wife’s battle with alcohol and its relevance to him leading @TheOpen. Irrelevant and tasteless.”
Billy Horschel’s wife Brittany announced her struggles with alcoholism in 2017
Billy Horschel’s wife Brittany announced her struggles with alcoholism in 2017 (Image: GETTY)
4 days ago09:09 Danny Gallagher
Weather check
After yesterday, the weather has been the first thing on everyone’s mind.
Saturday morning started kindly, before turning into an endless gloom. Scores suffered badly as a result.
Today however, we have a few bits of encouragement.
There is a chill in the air, and the wind is biting, but the forecast is holding us as overcast, without rain.
Fingers crossed.
