Xander Schauffele’s caddie ‘was about to puke’ moments before American won The Open

Xander Schauffele has revealed his caddie felt like he needed to throw up when they stepped up to the 18th tee on his way to winning The Open.

The final round at Royal Troon was finely poised heading into the back nine before Schauffele moved clear at the top of the leaderboard.

While others around him were struggling to find scoring opportunities, Schauffele grabbed three birdies in the space of four holes to move clear going into the 15th hole.

Playing partner Justin Rose was keeping Schauffele honest, but the Englishman was unable to get close enough to challenge on the last.

Schauffele held a three-shot lead going up the 18th with only a disaster preventing him from lifting the Claret Jug for the first time in his career.

He was able to avoid such a scenario taking place as he finished with a par to win his second major in a matter of months.

The 30-year-old was all smiles as he held the Claret Jug close to his chest for his media duties.

Schauffele admitted that his win just a few months prior at the PGA Championship helped keep him calm in the final few holes, although his caddie was anything but.

“I thought it would help me and it actually did [winning the PGA Championship],” he said.

“I had this sense of calm, a sense of calm I didn’t have when I played earlier at the PGA.

“For some reason, I was calm and I felt collected.

“I was telling my caddie, Austin, on the 18th hole that I felt pretty calm coming down this stretch and he said he was about to puke on the 18th tee!”

He added: “I just told myself to hit it down there like you did all day and kept moving along.

“There’s a long tradition of players drinking out of the Claret Jug and it’s one that Schauffele has confirmed he will also be doing once he steps off the course.

“I cannot wait to drink out of it!” Schauffele joked.

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“My dad’s here with me so I’ll let him do the honour. Whatever he wants.

“It means a lot, this is something all of us play for, and it really is a dream come to true to be holding this.

“It definitely hasn’t sunk in yet. My brain is still grinding on this amazing property here just trying to get through the holes.

“I cannot wait to get back and have a moment with the Claret Jug.”