In a dramatic turn of events at Royal Troon, Xander Schauffele's hopes of Open Championship glory evaporated during a disastrous final round that saw the American star tumble down the leaderboard.
Schauffele's Sunday Struggles
The Olympic gold medalist, who began the day in contention, endured a nightmare back nine that included multiple bogeys and a costly double-bogey. His usually reliable putting stroke abandoned him at crucial moments, with several short misses proving particularly damaging.
Missed Opportunity for Major Glory
This collapse represents another painful near-miss for Schauffele in major championships. The 30-year-old had been seeking his second major title following his PGA Championship triumph earlier this season, but instead added another chapter to his growing collection of major disappointments.
Royal Troon's Brutal Test
The historic Scottish links showed its teeth on Sunday, with swirling winds and treacherous pin positions exposing any weaknesses in the players' games. Schauffele wasn't alone in struggling, but his high-profile collapse will dominate post-tournament discussions.
As the golf world processes this shocking development, questions remain about Schauffele's ability to close out major championships when the pressure is at its most intense.
