Bitter final day

Golf: Straka misses out on top place at the British Open

Sepp Straka

(Bild: 2024 Getty Images)

Xander Schauffele has won the second golf major of his career just two months after his debut success. The 30-year-old American triumphed on Sunday after a strong finish at the 152nd British Open. He came out on top at Royal Troon GC in Scotland, two shots ahead of his compatriot Billy Horschel and England's Justin Rose. Austrian Sepp Straka finished in 22nd place after finishing second last year.

Schauffele played a round of 65 (six under par) on the final day and moved up from a tie for second place to overtake Horschel, who was leading after three rounds. In May, he won his first Major at the PGA Championship in Louisville (Kentucky). For winning the oldest golf tournament still being held in the world, the Californian not only received 3.1 million US dollars (2.85 million euros) in prize money, but also the traditional silver wine carafe, the "Claret Jug".

"I can't wait to drink from it!"
"I can't wait to drink from it," said Schauffele. "Hearing his name pronounced with the addition 'Open Champion' after it is something I've dreamed of for a very long time." In the meantime, his flight partner Rose also held the lead on the final round. However, Schauffele managed to clinch the title with a stroke gain on the last hole. "He is an ice-cold competitor, one of the best players in the world - it was difficult to keep up with him," said Rose.

Straka is four strokes off the top ten
Like his entire tournament, Straka's final round was characterized by ups and downs. Austria's number 1 played a par round with four birdies and four bogeys (stroke gains or stroke losses), but moved up from 33rd place after day 3 in the final ranking. In the end, it was his second-best result at the Open Championship and the fourth-best of his career at a major, 13 shots behind the winner. Straka was exactly four strokes off the top ten, which was above the course standard.

"On the whole, I'm happy with myself," Straka summed up his Open performance in an interview with the specialist portal "golfpost.de". "I played pretty well in parts and unfortunately not so well in others." Last year, Straka was the first Austrian to finish a major in the top three. This time, the Viennese-born player, who lives in the USA, was robbed of his chances on the second and third rounds in persistently difficult weather conditions with wind and rain.

Olympic tournament? "I'm looking forward to it!"
However, the form of the world number 27 seems to be right two weeks before the Olympic tournament at Le Golf National. "I'm looking forward to it," said Straka about his second Olympic Games. Three years ago in Tokyo, he played for the medals right to the end and ultimately finished tenth. After a week in Austria, the Austrian golf hopeful travels to Paris on Sunday.

US superstar Tiger Woods and world number two Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland were deeply frustrated after the British Open. Both had missed the cut after two days. Woods immediately drew the consequences after the poor performance and declared his season over. However, the 48-year-old, who still has physical problems after a serious car accident in February 2021 and numerous operations, says he is far from thinking about ending his career.