WITB: Top Five Finishers | 2024 Open Championship
It was Xander Schauffele who walked away with The Claret Jug at the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon. While it was anybody's Open Championship for the taking, thanks to a packed leaderboard heading into Sunday's final round, it was Schauffele's bogey-free six-under 65 that was enough to surge ahead of the pack en route to his 2nd Major Championship.
Billy Horschel and Thriston Jackson entered Sunday in the final pairing, but some early stumbles from Horschel, and later ones by Jackson cost them shot at becoming The Champion Golfer of the Year. Russell Henley kind of hung around all day Sunday, but just couldn't get many birdies to fall, as he finished in 5th place, four back of Schauffele. Justin Rose, the elder statesman of the group had the best shot of catching Schauffele down the stretch, but some key misses cost him a chance at winning his 2nd Major Championship.
Though only one of the golfers could away victorious, it was an entertaining final round, and a great Open overall. Each of the top-five players has different games, and with that comes different tools in the bag. Here's a look at what each player had in their bag for the 152nd Open Championship.
All WITB information is courtesy of GolfWRX.
1. Xander Schauffele
Schauffele emerged victorious on Sunday with a final round score of 65, securing a two-stroke margin of victory over Justin Rose and Billy Horschel. A stretch of four birdies in six holes on the back nine gave the American a stranglehold on the game’s oldest championship. This victory marks Schauffele's second major championship win in the 2024 season and his ninth win on the PGA TOUR, solidifying his position as one of the game's elite players.
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 70 TX (45.5 inches)
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana PD 80 TX
Irons: Mizuno MP-20 HMB (3), Callaway Apex TCB ’24 (4-10)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Mid X100 (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-10)
Wedges: Callaway Opus (52-10S) Buy here, Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-10S @57, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: Odyssey Toulon Design Las Vegas Prototype 7CH
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Tour 2.0
T2. Justin Rose
Justin Rose delivered a strong performance at Troon and the Englishman ultimately finished tied for second place. Despite facing challenging weather conditions and tough draws, Rose was only one back of the lead after 54 holes. Although he ultimately fell short of victory, his performance at Royal Troon proved he can still contend at the highest level.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (9.0)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Black 60 6.5 TX
Fairway Woods: TaylorMade M6 (3-Wood, 5-Wood)
Irons: T200 (2), T100 (4-5), 620 MB (6-PW)
Shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 90 HY 6.5 (2), KBS C-Taper 125 S+ (4-9)
Wedges: Vokey Design SM9 (52.12F, 56.08M), WedgeWorks (60L)
Shafts: KBS C-Taper 125 S+ (52), KBS Tour Hi-Rev 2.0 Wedge 125 S (56), NS Pro Modus3 125 (60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 5 Tour Prototype Putter
T2. Billy Horschel
Billy Horschel tied Rose for second, marking his career-best major finish. The former Florida Gator birdies the final three holes of the week to finish strong in Western Scotland. Although he never seriously challenged for the trophy on Sunday, Horschel's performance will leave him optimistic about future major championships.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (9.0)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black TR 6 X
Fairway Wood: TSi2 (15.0)
Shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
Irons: T200 (2), T100 (3,5), 620 MB (6-9)
Shafts: Graphite Design Tour AD DI-105 Hybrid X (2), True Temper Dynamic Gold 120 X100 (3, 5, 6-9)
Wedges: Vokey Design SM10 (46.10F, 52.12F, 56.08M), WedgeWorks (60V @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold 120 X100 (46), Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Onyx S400 (52-60)
Putter: PING Sigma 2 Tyne 4
4. Thriston Lawrence
Thriston Lawrence, a rising star from South Africa, delivered a remarkable performance at the 2024 Open Championship. He held a surprising lead at the turn during the final round, before ultimately finishing in solo fourth place with a score of 6-under 278. Lawrence's strong showing earned him a return invitation to the 2025 Open Championship, his first-ever invitation to the Masters, and boosted his chances of making the Presidents Cup team.
Driver: PING G430 Max
Fairway Woods: PING G430 Max (3-Wood, 5-Wood)
Irons: PING i230 (4,5), PING iBlade (6-PW)
Wedges: PING s159 (50,54,60)
Putter: PING PLD Oslo 4
5. Russell Henley
After a tough second round, Henley entered the weekend nine shots off the lead. However, he rebounded with a 5-under-par 66 in the third round, which included six birdies. This outstanding performance propelled him to a tie for second place, just one shot behind the leader, heading into the final round. His strong result at Royal Troon marked a significant improvement from his previous best Open finish, a tie for 20th in 2015.
Driver: Titleist TSi3 (10 degrees, B1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70 6.5 TX
3-wood: Titleist TS3 (16.5 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT Hybrid 100 TX
Irons: Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold AMT (4-6), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (7-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 50-08F @51, 54-10S, @55, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron T5 Prototype