As the professional golf world eagerly looks forward to the Open Championship at Royal Portrush starting on July 17, attention turns to talented players who have yet to secure a major championship. Among them, the debate around who stands out as the best active player without a major has sparked interest, with some of golf’s biggest names sharing their opinions ahead of the prestigious event.
The topic was recently addressed in a PGA Tour video featuring prominent golfers voicing their picks. Collin Morikawa, who has seven PGA Tour victories but no major, highlighted Viktor Hovland as the premier player in this category. Morikawa’s choice was influenced by their close friendship and mutual respect on the tour.
Meanwhile, Xander Schauffele, himself a two-time PGA Championship winner, singled out Patrick Cantlay, an eight-time PGA Tour champion, naming him as the best player currently without a major title. Justin Thomas, a multiple major winner with two PGA Championships under his belt, responded with humor, avoiding the question and calling it a cleverly disguised trap.
Viktor Hovland also weighed in confidently, naming himself the best active player without a major, reflecting the strong belief in his own capabilities and continued rise in the sport.
Stars to Watch at the Upcoming Open Championship at Royal Portrush
The Open Championship is set to feature a star-loaded field, which includes reigning champion Xander Schauffele, who delivered an impressive performance last year to claim the title. The competition will also feature household names such as Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, the current World No. 1 ranked golfer, highlighting the event’s high level of talent.
The tournament promises to be a showcase of skill and resilience with players vying to add their names to a storied history of champions at Royal Portrush.
Legacy of Golf’s Greatest Major Champions: Nicklaus and Woods
The legacy of major championship champions looms large over the sport, with Jack Nicklaus standing at the pinnacle. His record 18 major victories, including multiple titles at The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship, place him in a league of his own. Nicklaus is one of only a few to achieve the career Grand Slam, winning all four major tournaments multiple times.
Following closely is Tiger Woods, whose 15 major wins underscore his legendary status. Woods’ most recent major victory, the 2019 Masters, highlighted his sustained dominance and secured his place among the few golfers to complete the career Grand Slam.
The accomplishments of these icons set a high bar for current competitors who aspire to leave their mark on golf history through major championship success.
Insights Into Xander Schauffele’s Background and Career
Xander Schauffele, born October 25, 1993, in San Diego, California, is a prominent American professional golfer competing on the PGA Tour. His multicultural heritage includes a German-French immigrant father who has served as his sole swing coach, and a Taiwanese immigrant mother. Schauffele’s coaching approach emphasizes fundamental ball flight laws and club mechanics, a method that kept his swing technique largely unseen by himself until he was around 18 years old.
Schauffele’s athletic lineage is notable, with two great-grandfathers excelling in European soccer and track and field. Johann Hoffmann played for Austria’s national football team and won multiple national championships with clubs such as SK Rapid Wien and FC Sochaux. Richard Schauffele played for German Bundesliga’s VFB Stuttgart and achieved over 40 titles in field events like discus, javelin, and shot put.
Growing up, Schauffele made a significant impact as an amateur, winning the 2011 California State High School Championship while at Scripps Ranch High School. He began his collegiate career at Long Beach State University, earning Big West Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 2012 along with First Team All-Big West recognition. Later, he transferred to San Diego State University where his achievements included multiple Ping and Golfweek Third Team All-American selections, as well as Mountain West Conference All-Academic Team awards.
At SDSU, Schauffele holds school records for lowest tournament score against par (-17), career scoring average (71.50), and seasonal records in par-5 performance, birdies, and eagles. He won the 2014 California State Amateur Championship by defeating Beau Hossler and competed in the Western Amateur final the same year against Hossler, where he narrowly lost.
Schauffele’s Rapid Progression in Professional Golf
Turning professional in June 2015, Schauffele earned his Web.com Tour card after success in qualifying stages and quickly made his mark on the PGA Tour. In the current season, he boasts two PGA Tour wins and eight top-10 finishes, reflecting his consistent performance and competitive edge. Schauffele is currently ranked sixth in the world and holds an impressive scoring average of 69.8, with a driving distance averaging 315 yards per shot.
His presence in the FedEx Cup standings is also notable, positioned fourth as he continues to accumulate earnings, amounting to $4.2 million this year. Schauffele has represented the United States in three Ryder Cup appearances, maintaining a strong record of 8-4-2, which demonstrates his ability to perform under pressure in team events.
The Importance of the Open Championship for Elite Golfers
The Open Championship remains one of the most prestigious stages in golf, where players strive not only for victory but to etch their names alongside the legends of the sport. For players like Schauffele, Cantlay, Hovland, and Morikawa, success at Royal Portrush could solidify their standing among the game’s elite while answering questions about who ranks as the best active player without a major title.
This year’s competition is especially meaningful as players attempt to capture the elusive major victory that has so far escaped some of the sport’s most gifted athletes. The championship also offers a critical opportunity to create memorable moments that resonate across the golfing world and inspire the next generation of players.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Xander Schauffele a smoker?
A. She helped Schauffele at the 2024 Masters Tournament Par 3 Contest by serving as his caddie. Schauffele enjoys smoking cigars. His dad first showed him cigars when he was ten. The Montecristo No. is his preferred cigar.
Q. Is Xander Schauffele a Liv player?
A. He said before that he talked to LIV, but he decided not to join them. He has criticized Jay Monahan, the PGA Tour’s commissioner, after hearing about the Tour’s talks with LIV’s supporter, the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. Since 2017, he has been playing on the PGA Tour as one of the top players in the world.
Q. Is xander schauffele a liv?
A. Xander Schauffele’s father has dismissed any chance of his son joining LIV Golf. This decision came after Xander’s impressive win at the PGA Championship. He claimed his first major title at Valhalla, finishing just one stroke ahead in a high-scoring tournament.