Xander Schauffele, en route to Open win, stops for 1 of the sincerest gestures
Xander Schauffele, Austin Kaiser

Xander Schauffele and caddie Austin Kaiser on Royal Troon’s 18th hole on Sunday.

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Xander Schauffele says he told his caddie he felt calm. Collected. Then Austin Kaiser told his pro how he was feeling late Sunday afternoon standing on Royal Troon’s 18 tee.

“He said he was about to puke,” Schauffele said on national TV.

Gross. But lovely. It’s telling. This is the kinda stuff they share. Schauffele–Kaiser are golfer and looper — and Xander and Austin are friends. Besties. They played college golf together, at San Diego State, and Kaiser eventually got a call from Schauffele’s dad, Stefan. Would he be interested in caddying for his son? Totally. Kaiser was in.

And there they were this week, at Troon, for the Open Championship, where Schauffele shot a two-under 69 in round one, a 72 in round two and another 69 in round three — before blitzing everyone over the final 18. He birdied 6 and 7. And 11. And 13 and 14. And 16. No one was catching him. He was going to win the Claret Jug.

He was going to get one of golf’s coolest moments first, though. Open fans love their champions, and here’s how things go on 18: Players walk up to the green, the faithful around it rise, they cheer, it’s soaked in. You’ve maybe seen it. You’ve perhaps dreamed of being in the arena. Schauffele did. And after his second shot into Troon’s 18th, he started his march.

Kaiser handed him his putter, and Schauffele gave Kaiser the iron he’d just struck. They took four steps. Kaiser put down the bag. Schauffele tossed him the putter cover, and he took about 30 more steps. Hands were starting to be struck together. The clapping was beginning.

Wait. Wait, wait, wait. Schauffele turned around.

Where was Kaiser? He was still back with the bag.

Schauffele stayed turned around. He slowly walked backward until Kaiser caught up.

They would walk up together, of course. Schauffele soon turned back around. A smile had formed. Kaiser got over to his left. It was a scene not unlike the one that unfolded at this year’s Masters, where winner Scottie Scheffler started his walk to scoring after winning, only to wait for caddie Ted Scott to join him, so he, too, could feel the love.

At Troon, Schauffele and Kaiser took it in. For about 50 steps, they looked around. Near the bunkers near the green, Kaiser said something to Schauffele. He then smiled and put his right hand on Schauffele’s left shoulder. Schauffele eventually took his hat off and saluted the masses.

Classy! pic.twitter.com/pENYKlhBVw

— Oma Golf (@oma_golf) July 21, 2024
The TV analysts loved it.

Said announcer Dan Hicks on NBC: “Is he waiting for Austin here?”

Said analyst Luke Donald: “Waiting for Austin. … Cool move.”

Said Hicks: “They’re a team. He’s like, you’re not going to back off in the background. Let’s take this walk together.”