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A British Open for the ages?

Readers of The First Call share their opinions on the year's final men's major, won by Xander Schauffele over a stellar leaderboard at Royal Troon

Question of the week [July 22-28]: What are your thoughts on Keegan Bradley being named the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain?

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It was enjoyable to watch a tournament with so many different people near the top of the leaderboard who were capable of winning each day. That was before Xander Schauffele’s great round on the final day. It was fun to watch Daniel Brown almost become this year’s Michael Block.

James Brock
Atlanta, Georgia
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I thought it was very exciting. NBC was forced to cover the actual tournament on the weekend after its darling Tiger Woods missed the cut, finishing near last. The network’s obsession is embarrassing.

Some great golf by so many, mixed in with rough weather on Saturday. Xander Schauffele’s demeanor is so refreshing. As is Justin Rose’s. Shane Lowry could learn from them both about composure. His hissy fit on Saturday after hitting a marshal was shameful. That man inadvertently saved the Irish brat penalty strokes as his ball was headed to the gorse. He coupled it with petulant complaints about how the course was set up.

Overall, a wonderful weekend of golf. What’s left of the season is the FedEx cash grab with limited fields due to the ongoing PGA Tour’s tantrum barring so many great LIV players. 

My friends and I will re-engage in watching for the 2025 Masters. The real season ended Sunday.

Vinny Mooney
Poughkeepsie, New York
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Maybe Colin Montgomeris was right?

Steve Rosenbaum
Oak Lawn, Illinois
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I thought this tournament was the best major in a good, long while. First, the course was set up tough, but fair. Secondly, the weather played a role in each player's game — as it always should in Scotland. Third, come Sunday morning of the tournament, the leaderboard was packed with 10 worthy players within three or four strokes of each other. It has been a long time coming since these three key elements have come to bear on the most important round of golf in any tournament — the final round. Yes, there have been some other tournaments with star-power final rounds — Augusta with Nick Faldo and Greg Norman, the recent U.S. Open with Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau, the (British) Open several years back with Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson. But to have the final round containing all three major elements that we experienced at Royal Troon? Probably will be years from now until we have such a pleasure to experience this again.

Tom Powers
Bradenton, Florida
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I thought this was as good as it gets in golf.

The contrast in the weather and the difficulty of the course, as well as when the weather was good and how easy it seemed to be. Although, I was very disappointed in the television coverage. I could not believe the number of commercials and recorded shorts we had to watch. We probably saw shots at the Open we have never seen the pro’s have. Outside of the coverage, it was a phenomenal golf tournament. Maybe the first time I watched the whole tournament every day. 

Andy Phelps
North Augusta, South Carolina
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Well, it took almost 72 holes to close the deal, but for the second time this season Xander Schauffele outlasted the field to win his second major, the Open. But in fairness, the best player won, simple as that. Will it be remembered that he nearly became the first player to birdie the famed Postage Stamp par-3 all four days?

Regardless, he withstood challenges from several who faded in the end. Congratulations are in order for everyone and I hope he continues this run to the Olympics where he is the defending champion.

Peter Croppo
Bayfield, Ontario
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The First Call invites reader comment. Write to editor Stuart Hall at shall@buffalogroupe.com. Your name and city of residence is necessary to be considered for publication. If your comment is selected for publication, The First Call will contact you to verify the authenticity of the email and confirm your identity. We will not publish your email address. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and brevity.

Front photo: Xander Schauffele with the claret jug for winning the 152nd British Open at Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, Scotland. Photo: Thos Caffrey / Golffile


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