Xander Schauffele matches Rory McIlroy feat and completes 42-year first with historic Open win
Xander Schauffele delivered a golfing masterclass to win the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon.
The American claimed a two-shot victory over Justin Rose and Billy Horschel to grab the second major of his career - and the calendar year.
He becomes the first player to win the PGA Championship and The Open in the same season since Rory McIlroy in 2014.
Schauffele's victory also secures a clean sweep for Americans at the majors this year following the triumphs of Scottie Scheffler at The Masters and Bryson DeChambeau at the US Open.
But this was arguably the most impressive of all.
A ferocious test in Scotland left some of golf's biggest names battered and bruised, but Schauffele conquered it with apparent ease.
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Under the most intense pressure, the 30-year-old masterfully pieced together every aspect of the game from tee to green to shoot four-under on a back nine where only six other players broke par.
Qualifier Rose started one shot back on Sunday, alongside Schauffele, and his round of 67 was incredible in itself.
The Englishman was millimetres away on a number of putts which could have made for a different story.
But on a day when 65 barely seemed possible, the history books will say world no.3 Schauffele shot one of the all-time great rounds in Open history to win.
Besides matching McIlroy, he is the first player since golf legend Jack Nicklaus to shoot 65 in the final round of multiple majors to claim victory.
Schauffele also follows Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth as the third player ever to finish top-eight in all four majors and bag more than one win in the same year.
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And he is the first player to win two majors in a year since Brooks Koepka in 2018.
"It's been quite a journey and I feel very honoured to hear my named called with 'Open champion' after it. It's something I've dreamt of for a long time," Schauffele said at the presentation ceremony as he was joined by his emotional family.
"I wasn't here in 2016 but I actually watched highlights of Phil (Mickelson) and Henrik (Stenson) to motivate myself - and it paid off this week.
"I've been in Scotland for two weeks and you guys (the fans) have made it feel like a second home. I can't wait to come back."
"It's an honour, I've always dreamt of doing it," Schauffele added.
"That walk up 18 truly is the coolest with the yellow leaderboards and the fans and the standing ovation. It really is one of the coolest feelings I've ever had in my life.
"I got chills walking down and quickly had to zap myself back into focus because the tournament wasn't over yet. I can't wait to enjoy this with my family."
Schauffele said he had yet to decide what to drink out of the famous trophy, adding: "I'm just curious to see what my dad is going to pick as a first drink to drink out of this.
"He's going to have to figure out what he wants to put in there because he's taking the first gulp out of it."
Completing the top ten, 54-hole leader Horschel finished in a tie for second alongside Rose.
World no.98 Thirston Lawrence led for a while but faded on the back nine to finish fourth.
Russell Henley bagged fifth, one shot and one place in front of 2019 champion Shane Lowry, while Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler and Sungjae-Im ended the championship in a tie for seventh on one-under-par.
Unheralded Englishmen Dan Brown and Matthew Jordan completed a fairytale week in a tie for tenth alongside Adam Scott.
Rose admitted to having mixed emotions after his bid to become the first Englishman to win the Open since 1992 came up short.
Sir Nick Faldo was the last but all week, Rose's name has been close to the top of the leaderboard and he began the day just one off the lead.
He went to the turn in 33 on the final day, twice briefly holding the lead, before he was overpowered by Schauffele over the back nine with his American playing partner posting 31 to his 34.
"I was gutted when I walked off the course and it hit me hard because I was so strong out there today," Rose said after posting a 67 to finish seven under, two behind the winner.
"I won second place, I won points, I won prizes, FedExCup points, all that stuff too. At that point, you're being a professional.
"Then I walk 10 steps later and I'm choking back tears.
"But in terms of how I played and the execution of my emotions today, my mindset, I left it all out there. I'm super proud of how I competed.
"The deal I made with myself today was to come off with no regrets.
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"Obviously, I'll have a few more chances but you know that this was a great opportunity and you want to walk off the golf course going 'Yeah, I didn't squander that'.
"But I felt super comfortable out there, which the fact that I haven't really been in contention much this year, that gives me a lot of heart."