Xander Schauffele held off the challenge of Justin Rose to win the 152nd Open Championship at the end of a captivating week at Royal Troon.
It is a second major title in three months for 30-year-old Schauffele, who becomes the first player to win The Open and US PGA Championship in the same year since Rory McIlroy in 2014.
The American hit a stunning bogey-free six-under 65 to finish on nine under, two clear of his playing partner Rose, who shot a 67 in a fascinating duel in breezy conditions.
“Hearing your name called with Open champion after it is something I’ve dreamed of for a very long time,” said the Champion Golfer of the Year.
For Rose, whose sole major remains his 2013 US Open triumph, it has been the closest he has come to lifting the Claret Jug, 26 years after he finished joint fourth as a 17-year-old to win the Silver Medal as low amateur.
“The dream’s been alive all week and I did an awesome job,” the 43-year-old, who came through a qualifying event in Somerset, told BBC Sport.
“This will be a tough one but a great one. I played in some of the hardest weather all week. I played some of the best golf but it didn’t quite add up to the trophy.”
Three birdies in his opening seven holes had put Rose briefly in the lead on six under, but Schauffele surged three clear of his fellow Olympic gold medallist with an electrifying run of five birdies in nine holes from the sixth.
Overnight leader Billy Horschel birded the final three holes to join Rose in joint second.
