Xander Schauffele ready to surf another Open wave

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Four birdies in his final eight holes swept Xander Schauffele to a two-shot victory in The Open Championship last year at Royal Troon in Scotland.

The World No. 3 hopes to catch a similar wave as he attempts to defend the Claret Jug this week at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland.

“There’s typically a good wave and a bad wave in an Open Championship,” Schauffele said Tuesday. “You just keep your fingers crossed that you’re in the good wave and try and play well. If you’re not, fight for your life and make the cut and then try and do something on the weekend.”

No golfer has won back-to-back Opens since Ireland’s Padraig Harrington (2007-08) did it right after Tiger Woods (2005-06).

Schauffele, 31, dealt with a rib injury earlier this year and has yet to win a tournament this season after collecting his first two major victories last year at the PGA Championship at Valhalla and the Open. He matched his best finish of the season last week with a T8 at the Genesis Scottish Open.

Although he’s had success with links-style golf, he admits he still has a lot to learn.

“I think even from last week to this week, we actually have divots flying this week. Last week was ball mark-less and divot-less,” Schauffele said.

“Just learning how the ball reacts on certain grass, if it’s going to jump or not, when you’re sitting in like a fescue bush or weed, how that’s going to come out, how much it’s going to grab your club. There’s so many things you still learn on the way.

“More of it’s just the mentality. I think, when you say links golf, it comes with weather, and when you play in bad weather, you have to have a good attitude.”

Schauffele played well at the first three majors this year, tying for eighth at the Masters, for 28th at the PGA and for 12th place at the U.S. Open.

He tied for 41st the last time the Open was played at Royal Portrush in 2019.

“Coming here, I feel like I’m trying to relearn this golf course, get comfortable with certain sight lines, some blind tee shots,” he said.

“I think, if I can get myself in the mix is when I think I would have an advantage. 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.

Schauffele is paired with Spain’s Jon Rahm and reigning U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun for the first two rounds.

–Field Level Media