Monday, July 22nd, 2024 Edition

Xander Schauffele won the Open. But so, too, did the magic of links golf

– by Michael Bamberger / GOLF

Per Michael: “Somebody actually wrote these words, got them to Nicole Kidman, and she gave them to the world…”

B&B POV: Yesterday, Xander played on Sunday at the Open Championship the way that Rory did Sunday at Pinehurst last month: he went on a heater. Racking up birdies. Whipping up fan frenzy. The big difference – Xander didn’t choke any shorties. Six birdies. No bogeys. Low round of the day, 65. Boom.

For the week, Troon played tough, especially Saturday. The 66th golf course in the world (per Golf Magazine) surely scared off some average players who are booking their next Scotland Bucket List trip. She’s a beautiful beast of a course. If you’re brave enough to play it, move up three sets of tees and bring plenty of pearlies, because balls will be lost.

Tiger Woods admits assassination attempt on Donald Trump affected him at 2024 Open Championship

– by Tom D’Angelo / Palm Beach Post – Golfweek

Per Tom: “Tiger Woods returned to his home on Jupiter Island much sooner than he hoped after another failed attempt to play into the weekend at a major championship…”

B&B POV: The assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump shook all Americans, including Tiger Woods who referenced as much during his Open Championship presser last week. He said he didn’t sleep at all during his flight from Jupiter, FL to Scotland.

Did his attentiveness to Trump’s health and the likely jet lag that had to have been felt by Woods impact how he played the following days? We’ll never know for sure. However, at this juncture of his career, Woods does not need any additional influences/excuses to keep him from playing his best. Because right now his best isn’t even good enough to make cuts. We love the big cat and just want to see him get back to competing on weekends.  

WITB Winner’s Bag: Xander Schauffele, 2024 British Open at Royal Troon

– Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys

Per Thomas: Xander is Callaway’s #1 tour player. And by a longshot, especially thanks to Jon Rahm and Mickelson becoming persona non grata at their Carlsbad headquarters.

Xander’s contract with Callaway must be an interesting one to read over. For example, he uses Callaway irons that are a few generations old, and him playing them isn’t even referenced on Xander’s “Team Callaway” page on their website. Also, in his bag at Troon was an old(er) Mizuno driving iron and Vokey SM10 wedges.

We’re guessing that after the blistering summer Xander has had on the links, which has included his first two major championships, Callaway is ok with Xander being a partial bag player. Especially since he plays with their newest Paradym Ai Smoke driver and Chrome Tour ball.

Xander’s Golf Gear:

DRIVER: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees), with Mitsubishi Diamana PD 70 TX shaft 

FAIRWAY WOOD: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (16.5 degrees), with Mitsubishi Diamana PD 80 TX shaft

HYBRID: Callaway Apex UW ’21 (21 degrees), with Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 90 TX shaft

IRONS: Mizuno MP-20 (3), Callaway Apex TCB (4-PW), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts

WEDGES: Callaway Opus (52 degrees), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56, 60 degrees), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts

PUTTER: Odyssey Las Vegas prototype

BALLS: Callaway Chrome Tour

Check out our Best Golf Drivers 2024 edition.

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PAYDAY! 2024 British Open Prize Money Payouts

– by Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys

Per Thomas: The purse for this year’s Open Championship was a measly $3.1M – less than all LIV events, every other major, and plenty of PGA Tour signature events (Genesis, Memorial, etc.). But you know what? None of the 157 players who teed it up on Thursday gave two bits shite. Because the winner gets to lift the Claret Jug on Sunday evening; and last night, Xander Schauffele was that man. He also got to go home with $3.1M, but who’s counting?

GETTY IMAGES

British Open 2024: Sorry Scottie, Xander Schauffele just won player of the year

– by Shane Ryan / Golf Digest

Per Shane: “Xander Schauffele has just won his second major of the year at the Open Championship, and this is quite literally the only result that could have thrown the 2024 Player of the Year debate into complete chaos…”

B&B POV: The title of this article and the underlying argument of who has had the better year between Xander and Scottie is a dandy. Here are some basic tale-of-the-tape stats to help you decide on who’s played the best this season:

Most arrests: Scottie with a bullet

Cuts made: Xander (18/18); Scottie (16/16 + a newborn) – Scottie

Victories: Scottie (6); Xander (2) – Scottie

Top 10’s: Scottie (14 out of 16); Xander (12 out of 18) – Scottie

Money: Scottie ($28,148,691); Xander ($15,867,160) – Scottie

Majors victories: Xander (2); Scottie (1) – Xander

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Our player of the year…Xander. Majors = legacy. Mic. Dropped.

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