Portrush (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Reigning champion Xander Schauffele said on Tuesday he is “looking forward” to winning back the Claret Jug at this week’s British Open in Northern Ireland, after enjoying his title celebrations last year. The American landed the trophy 12 months ago at Royal Troon with a superb final-round performance to secure his second major title, celebrating accordingly.
“The lid, it barely opens. I had a little tequila there in Portugal,” he said of the famous British Open trophy. “I’ve had wine out of it, but not too much. I don’t drink a whole lot. I definitely drank more after a few championships last year. It’s a bummer to give up the trophy this year. Looking forward to trying to get it back.”
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Schauffele has struggled for his best so far this year but showed signs of a return to form with a top-10 finish at the Scottish Open last weekend. But he has made a habit of peaking at the majors, making 14 successive cuts in golf’s biggest events and winning the PGA Championship as well as the British Open in 2024.
“If I can get myself in the mix is when I think I would have an advantage,” said the 31-year-old, who was also an Open runner-up behind Francesco Molinari at Carnoustie in 2018. “That’s where my biggest edge would be. I can lean on experience at other points in time, but I think the most fun and the biggest advantage I would have is coming down the stretch if I can get close to that lead.”
Despite only posting two top-10 finishes this year, Schauffele is still ranked number three in the world and has not missed a cut in a professional tournament since 2022. He will tee off in his first round at Royal Portrush at 9:58 am local time (0858 GMT) on Thursday alongside newly-crowned US Open champion J.J. Spaun and Spanish star Jon Rahm.
© 2024 AFP
