Can Xander Schauffele Do What Only Phil Mickelson Has Done?

Professional golf has existed for a very, very long time.

This week’s Britsh Open (or simply The Open championship) is the 150th edition of the event.

Think about that.

And in the history of the sport, only one player has accomplished this feat:    

Winning the Scottish Open and the British Open in the same year.

That’s Phil Mickelson. In 2013, he won both tourneys, which are played on consecutive Thursday-Sundays.

This year’s Scottish Open winner was fast-rising star Xander Schauffele, who’s now the No. 5-ranked player in the world. The 28-year-old American is the hottest player in golf right now so there’s a reason he’s the second betting choice to win the British, behind only Rory McIlroy.

As of Monday’s odds at FanDuel, McIlory is at +1000 while Schauffele is at +1300.

Tiger Woods? A whopping +8000. Wow. Take a stab at that if you’d like but you’re throwing your money away.

Meanwhile, though his game is on fire, history is just not on Schauffele’s side.

I’m picking him to win anyway. It’s never a bad idea to go with the guy that is hot as four hells.

Sorry, Rory.