The ruling bodies of golf have fumbled and struggled to repair the fracture in men’s professional golf for several years now. Yet, American individualism and excellence was on display in the golf world in 2024. For the first time in over 40 years, Americans won all four major championships.
2024 Masters Winner Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler went into the 2024 Masters as world number one and field favorite. While day one Bryson DeChambeau fired a 65 to take the lead. Scheffler trailed by only one. By the end of the 3rd round, Scheffler took the lead for good. Scheffler’s iron play remained world class all week and his putter never waivered. Even with the highest stakes, Scottie made it look easy as usual shooting a final round 68 and winning by four shots.
2024 PGA Championship Winner Xander Schauffele
Xander Schauffele came to the 2024 PGA Championship being one of the guys deemed “best player to not win a major.” The championship was played at famed Valhalla in Kentucky. Valhalla is a mythical hall where Viking warriors who die in battle go to live in the afterlife. Out of the gate, Xander played like a warrior firing an opening 62 breaking the course record.
While Xander was tied for the lead after three days, there felt like an inevitability that the field would chase him down and take away that first major. They tried. Both Viktor Hovland and Bryson DeChambeau came to the final hole with chances to tie the lead. Bryson delivered a huge blow birdieing the 72nd hole and tied the lead. Yet, Xander gave himself a chance for the win on the final hole with a five footer. Xander made the putt and became a first time major championship winner.
2024 United States Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau
The lead-up to the 2024 United States Open was epic as it returned to Pinehurst Number 2. There would be no high rough, but lots of native areas peppered with gnarly wire grasses. As if not enough, the players would need to navigate the turtle back greens with false “everythings” all over the course.
Not surprisingly, Rory McIlroy came out and shot an opening round 65 giving him a tie for the lead. Over ten years removed from winning a major championship, Rory seemed to be purposefully and methodically marching toward winning another major. Yet, “the people’s champion,” Bryson DeChambeau was part of the story day one too.
Bryson, coming off a runner-up finish at the PGA Championship, seemed to have a massively growing crowd of supporters looking to will him to his next major championship. Bryson went into the final round in what seemed to be a firm control of the lead. However, Rory came out in the final round on fire and Bryson stumbled.
In separate groups, but going head to head, Bryson and Rory dueled it out on the back nine for the US Open title. Both players missed putts and struggled. Bryson hit a clutch iron on the 17th and secured a crucial par. A errant drive by Rory led to a putt for par that was lipped out leaving the stage set for Bryson to par to win. Bryson drove way left and hit a second shot that left him the dreaded 55 yard bunker shot. A shot to a green that would only take an almost perfectly hit shot to give him a chance to make par. As we know, Bryson delivered the shot of a lifetime with the tile in the balance. A made putt and par made him the United States Open Champion in 2024.
The Open Championship Winner Xander Schauffele
The oldest major championship in the game headed back to Royal Troon in Scotland. This was the 152nd playing of the Open Championship and Royal Troon is the home of the Postage Stamp the best short par-3 in major championship golf.
Shane Lowrey led early and through the first two rounds. Then the weather asserted it’s will on the field and players were falling down the leaderboard as often as the rain drops fell. Like usual, a few players find a way to grind out great scores in tough conditions. This year, Billy Horschel was that player. Horschel led going into the final round with a tournament score of -4.
On the final day, Horschel, Justin Rose and Xander Schauffele were all battling each other and the elements for the title. On the back nine of the final round, Xander seemed to tap into his new found confidence. His cool exterior mirrored his flawless play. Xander played the back nine flawlessly with four birdies and five pars winning his second major championship of the year and the 152nd Open Championship.
When was the last time Americans won all four men’s major championships?
1982 was the last year that Americans won all four of the men’s major championships. It was the year of E.T. at the box office, “I pity the fool” in the Rocky franchise and “just say no” on the political scene. The year 1982 also benefited from a two-time in one year major champion. It was Tom Watson turning the tide for the United States by winning the U.S. Open and the open Championship.
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