SCHAUFFELE DREAMS OF ANOTHER SUMMER TO REMEMBER

American star aims to grow legacy with successful defence at Genesis Scottish Open

- JIM MCCABE

For a young golfer still in his 20s, Xander Schauffele is rapidly absorbing an appreciation for rich sports legacies.

It was only two summers ago when he held on for a one-stroke triumph to win the Gold Medal at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Japan. Never was there a chance that the San Diego native would not understand the magnitude of what he had accomplished.

“Goosebumps,” said Schauffele, when asked to explain the emotion he had when that Gold Medal was draped around his neck.

But it was the presence of his father, Stefan, who represented everything special about the Olympics and why the victory in Japan connects them forever. “His dream from a young age was to be an Olympian,” said Schauffele, whose father grew up in Germany and was an elite decathlete on the road to possible Olympic fame. Then, a drunk driver slammed into his car. Dream over.

“It was massive (to win the medal) so it was a really special night,” said Schauffele.

Fast forward one year later and in the glow of a brilliant Scottish twilight, Schauffele basked in the glory of a second straight victory, this one at the Genesis Scottish Open. What made the greatest impact on him - even more than the fact that he had triumphed on U.S. soil at the Travelers Championship two weeks earlier - were all the historic boxes that he had been able to check.

Then, the clincher of them all, and one that endeared him to Scottish fans: “What an honour to win in the Home of Golf,” he said.