Americans are on a roll again in the major championships

Xander Schauffele of the United States reacts as he sits with the Claret Jug trophy at a press conference after winning the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Troon golf club in Troon, Scotland, Sunday, July 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Super) Xander Schauffele of the United States reacts as he sits with the Claret Jug trophy at a press conference after winning the British Open Golf Championships at Royal Troon golf club in Troon, Scotland, Sunday, July 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

By Doug Ferguson July 24, 2024 7 min read

TROON, Scotland (AP) — Europeans first took over Augusta National when Sandy Lyle of Scotland won the Masters in 1988, the start of seven European winners in a span of nine years.

Padraig Harrington kicked off Irish golf’s big run of winning majors in five of six years.

He won the British Open in 2007 and 2008, and the PGA Championship in 2008. Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland won the U.S. Open in 2010, and then Rory McIlroy won the U.S. Open and Darren Clarke won the British Open in 2011.

Now the Americans are back in charge.

They have won the last seven majors, their longest streak since Americans won 13 straight majors from Lee Trevino in the 1974 PGA Championship through Lanny Wadkins in the 1977 PGA Championship at Pebble Beach. Gary Player ended that run in the 1978 Masters.