Golf fans haven’t witnessed World No. 2 Xander Schauffele dominate a PGA Tour field with his signature blend of precision and power for 48 long days. Schauffele last appeared in competitive action during the inaugural TGL match in January before stepping away due to an increasingly concerning injury situation.
The two-time major champion continues to recover from an acute intercostal strain with a microtear in his rib cage—an overuse injury that worsened when he attempted to play through discomfort at January’s Sentry tournament. He seems to be getting better now. On February 25th, PJ Clark shared an image on X showing Schauffele supporting his New York GC teammates during a TGL match, writing: “This is like when your ace is out for the year but shows up in the dugout for a random weekend series at home.”
This is like when your ace is out for the year but shows up in the dugout for a random weekend series at home pic.twitter.com/ggs1XaIew6
— PJ Clark (@TheRealPJClark) February 24, 2025
Schauffele told to Golfweek that he plans to make his competitive return at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill (March 6-9). After consulting with medical professionals, the 30-year-old deliberately skipped tournaments with thick rough to prevent re-injury. “I’ve seen guys come back too soon and end up missing another 6 to 12 weeks,” Schauffele explained, demonstrating patience as he aims to prepare fully for the upcoming Masters in April.
The California native’s cautious approach stems from the precarious timing of his injury. Coming off his career-best season with two major championships in 2024, Schauffele faces mounting pressure to maintain his World No. 2 ranking. With Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy collecting points during his absence, Schauffele risks sliding down the rankings with each passing tournament. Despite these concerns, he’s prioritized long-term health over short-term results.
“The Masters doesn’t move for anyone’s injury,” Schauffele told Golfweek. “I had to make smart choices with my schedule to ensure I don’t miss the majors this year.” His deliberate recovery timeline includes avoiding courses like Torrey Pines with punishing rough that could aggravate his rib condition. The decision to target Bay Hill for his return provides Schauffele roughly a month to regain competitive form before heading to Augusta National.
Schauffele’s deliberate approach to recovery isn’t without precedent in professional golf, where hasty returns have often led to prolonged setbacks for even the game’s greatest players.
Xander Schauffele follows the cautious path after veterans’ costly comebacks
Schauffele’s careful approach mirrors what several top players experienced after rushing back from similar injuries. Tiger Woods famously aggravated his back issues in 2014 by returning too quickly, forcing him to withdraw from the Honda Classic and miss significant additional time. More recently, Will Zalatoris attempted to play through back pain in 2023, ultimately requiring surgery and missing seven months of competition when what might have been a shorter recovery period turned into nearly a full-season absence.
Intercostal injuries specifically have derailed promising seasons for multiple players. Justin Rose suffered a similar rib injury in 2016 and missed additional weeks after an attempted early comeback, while Bryson DeChambeau’s hip and intercostal issues in 2022 lingered for months after he attempted to play through discomfort. With the first major of the year at Augusta National just weeks away, Schauffele’s methodical recovery plan reflects the hard lessons learned throughout the golf world about the dangers of premature returns to competition.
Schauffele’s return at Bay Hill marks a critical juncture in the 2025 PGA Tour season. As defending champion at both the PGA Championship and Open Championship, his health trajectory will significantly impact this year’s major championship landscape. The golf world now watches eagerly to see if his disciplined recovery approach pays dividends or if rust will affect his typically precise game. Will Schauffele reclaim his early 2024 form in time for Augusta, or will this injury setback change his trajectory? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
The post Not Seen in 48 Days, Major Xander Schauffele Update Surfaces Amid Rumors of His PGA Tour Return appeared first on EssentiallySports.
