Adapting Strategy and Embracing the Challenge at Royal Portrush to Defend Open Title

Xander Schauffele is eager to defend his British Open title at Royal Portrush this week. However, he acknowledges that he'll need a different strategy than the one that led him to victory last year. He views the challenge as a fresh start, emphasizing the need to adapt and find the right approach to succeed.

The American golfer secured his second major title at Royal Troon last year with a flawless final round of 65. This victory followed his gold medal win at the Tokyo Olympics. While his past experience will be beneficial, he recognizes that the Dunluce Links at Portrush presents a unique test of his links golf skills.

Schauffele feels like he's essentially relearning the course, focusing on familiarizing himself with sight lines and blind tee shots. He believes that if he can position himself in contention, he'll have a significant advantage. He can draw on his past experiences, but he anticipates that his greatest edge will come from being in the mix during the final stretch of the tournament.

Defending a title on a links course is notoriously difficult, given the challenges of sloping greens, deep bunkers, thick rough, and unpredictable weather. The last player to achieve this feat was Padraig Harrington in 2008. Schauffele understands that luck, particularly with the weather conditions, could play a crucial role this week.

He acknowledges the impact of weather waves, where some players benefit from favorable conditions while others face tougher challenges. His strategy involves hoping for a good wave and playing well, or fighting to make the cut and then aiming for a strong performance on the weekend.

Schauffele's comfort with links golf might surprise some, considering his upbringing in San Diego. However, he credits his early experiences, including long road trips with his father, for fostering his creativity and adaptability. A trip to Bandon Dunes at age 13 exposed him to challenging weather conditions, which he found enjoyable. He anticipates drawing on those experiences as he navigates the expected wind and rain at Portrush.