PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (Reuters) -Defending British Open champion Xander Schauffele dragged himself back into contention on Saturday with a superb third-round 66 he put down to "luck boxing". The 31-year-old American,

Xander Schauffele figured he needed a “blackout” performance Sunday at The Open to have any chance of catching Scottie Scheffler.

Scheffler recorded a pair of birdies and an eagle at the seventh hole to create the separation going into Sunday. The impressive round gave him the 54-hole lead. He is 3-for-3 in majors when he owns the lead after the third round. The latest win came at the 2025 PGA Championship.

Last year’s British Open champion has been playing catch-up for months after an early-season rib injury, but shot 66 Saturday and sits at 7 under.

Schauffele, 31, collected his finest hardware in 2024, hoisting the massive Wanamaker Trophy after winning his first major, the PGA Championship at Valhalla in May, followed by a stunning win in the Open at Troon, where he charged with a Sunday 65.

Xander Schauffele has two majors and an Olympic gold medal among his eight wins since turning pro. What he doesn't have are trophies in his house.

Xander Schauffele won the men’s golf tournament at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, marking one of the many victories he’s claimed throughout his professional career. Several years later, Schaffele doesn't know where that gold medal — something that’s seen as one of,

Xander Schauffele isn't the type of golfer that gains motivation from seeing a trophy in his living room but he still wants the Claret Jug back.

The Open returns to Northern Ireland, a place of fond memories from 2019's sold-out event, where Ireland's Shane Lowry won his first major championship and lifted the Claret Jug. This year's field includes Lowry alongside last year's winner, Xander Schauffele, who narrowly defeated Justin Rose and Billy Horschel by two strokes to claim the title.

Defending British Open champion Xander Schauffele dragged himself back into contention on Saturday with a superb third-round 66 he put down to "luck boxing".

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