Xander Schauffele wins The Open to break 10-year record last held by Rory McIlroy
Xander Schauffele is now a two-time major champion
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Xander Schauffele has become the first player to win both the PGA Championship and The Open in the same season since 2014 after his incredible triumph at Royal Troon on Sunday.
The final round at The Open was set up to be a cracker after tricky conditions on Saturday bunched up the top of the leaderboard.
Billy Horschel held the overnight lead heading into Sunday, but Schauffele was one of six players just one shot back while Scottie Scheffler and Shane Lowry were also close.
It was going to take something special for someone to break away from the whole pack on Sunday and conditions improved for plenty of scoring opportunities.
Xander Schauffele is now a two-time major champion
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Horschel got off to a strong start as he got to two-under-par for the day through seven holes.
South African Thriston Lawrence then made a big charge up to the top of the leaderboard as he took the turn at seven-under-par for the tournament.
Justin Rose and Russell Henley were keeping tabs of the leading group as well.
However, Schauffele began making a late charge on the back nine with three birdies in the space of four holes to take the outright lead.
While the American was finding scoring opportunities on the back nine, others were faltering.
Lawrence and Rose slowed down with Schauffele holding a three-shot lead heading into the final two holes.
The reigning PGA champion held his nerve on the tricky par-three 17th to find the green before two-putting for par.
It meant only a disaster would stop Schauffele lifting the Claret Jug for the first time in his career to become a two-time major champion.
He took no chances off the 18th tee and found the fairway before confidently landing his approach shot on the green.
Justin Rose was bidding to become the first qualifier to win The Open since 1999
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Schauffele then flirted with a birdie to finish, but it didn't matter as he followed that up by tapping in for par to become the Open champion.
In winning The Open, Schauffele ends Rory McIlroy's run as the last player to win both the British major and the PGA Championship in the same season.
Brooks Koepka was the last player to win any two majors in the same calendar year back in 2018.
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Xander Schauffele is now a two-time major champion
REUTERS
Schauffele embraced his family after walking off the green on the 18th and his father was visibly holding back tears.
Scottie Scheffler was one of the first players to congratulate his compatriot with America sweeping all four majors this year.
Rose also secured second at The Open with his birdie on the last after going through qualifying.