Scottie Scheffler says what he found was the harder golf course – Torrey Pines or Royal Troon at the Open last year

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The 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon provided the most challenging major championship test of the year.

For many, the US Open is considered the most demanding golfing examination, but the weather on Scotland’s west coast made the battle for the Claret Jug fiercely difficult.

Stormy conditions decimated the field on Friday and Saturday before Xander Schauffele managed to pull clear during a marginally calmer final round. There were several demanding holes, including the par-three 17th, where Scottie Scheffler made a birdie after hitting a three-wood off the tee. What’s more, the par-four 11th is revered as one of the hardest holes in major championship history.

This week’s Genesis Invitational at Torrey Pines also has a major championship feel, with thick rough punishing any wayward tee shot.

Scottie Scheffler names harder course out of Royal Troon and Torrey Pines

World number one Scheffler is firmly in contention in San Diego after the first 36 holes of the Tiger Woods-hosted Signature Event. Despite having a poor record at Torrey Pines, Scheffler is one shot off the lead at the halfway stage.

Wet and windy conditions tested the field on Thursday. However, Scheffler claimed the course was not as challenging as Royal Troon last July.

“I mean, it wasn’t as bad as Troon. Troon, there was a par four I didn’t reach in two. I’m not like a super long hitter; I’m also not necessarily short, so not being able to reach a par four in two is a little different,” Scheffler said.

“But I just think this golf course, we kind of knew the conditions going into the round were going to be like that; I think you were able to prepare mentally. The Open can be a little bit of a different challenge because you have an idea that the weather’s going to be like that, but they’re also not going to change the golf course for weather conditions.

“The Open is more traditional in the sense that the golf course has been there for a long time; they’re not nearly as long as this golf course, and it’s a different type of golf. So when they set up the golf course, they just set it up and give you a thumbs up. Whatever the weather is, you have to deal with it. I think here in the States it’s a bit of a different style of golf, so the setup tends to be adjusted a little bit, which I agree with, I think it needs to be.”

• READ MORE: Rory McIlroy told exactly what he needs to do to go back above Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele in the OWGR

Where did Scottie Scheffler finish at the 2024 Open Championship

After placing himself at two under heading into the final round, many assumed Scheffler would mount a serious challenge at Royal Troon.

Scheffler picked up a shot on the par-four third hole but would make bogey on the sixth and double on the ninth.

With Schauffele mounting a serious back-nine charge, Scheffler needed birdies. Unfortunately, only one materialised coming down the stretch. After picking up a shot on the par-five 16th, Scheffler topped his tee shot on 18 and would eventually make a double-bogey to end his tournament. Clearly disappointed with his performance, Scheffler declined the chance to speak to the media after his final round.