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Xander Schauffele recently claimed his maiden Major Championship title at the US PGA. Now, he's setting his sights on The Open at Troon and defending his Olympic Gold Medal in Paris

- Garrett Johnston

When I think of Xander Schauffele, the first thought that comes to mind is delayed gratification. After so many close calls the past six years, to see him break through at the US PGA in May was highly rewarding. He was the first to admit that he hadn't "clutched up enough times" in the past.

I've been fortunate to get to know him through a few interviews since 2017. I can remember asking him at the 2018 US PGA Championship, “Hey, man – do you have a few minutes to talk about Carnoustie?” He had finished T2nd there after shooting a three-over 74 playing in the final group. That sunny August morning three weeks later in St Louis, Schauffele smiled, nodded and told his caddie he’d meet him in a few minutes. How do you think Jean Van de Velde or Sergio Garcia would have responded to a reporter asking for their time about a close call in The Open only weeks later?

I think his willingness to speak about a heartbreak so quickly showed a maturity and an eagerness to own that moment, and the close call, for what it was. And own the near misses he did, in 2018, 2019 and, indeed, the entirety of his 12 top-ten finishes in Majors before his eventual breakthrough at Valhalla in May.

Deservedly, that Major breakthrough secured the reigning Olympic Gold Medallist a spot in Paris. Funnily enough, Paris is the city where he might have made his Ryder Cup debut. He wasn’t picked, but has always told me that has been a source of motivation in his career. He hasn’t missed a team event since.

Here, he talks about his experiences in The Open Championship – he has finished in the top 26 five times in six starts – going for back-to-back Gold Medals and more…

Now the dust has settled, how do you reflect on your US PGA victory?