“Really bad, not just very good” – that’s how Xander Schauffele bluntly summed up his game right now, and honestly, it’s hard to blame him. Just six rounds into his comeback from a rib injury, Schauffele’s incredible streak of 58 consecutive cuts was on shaky ground at The Players. He then gutted out a birdie on his final hole to sneak into the weekend with a 1-under-par score. Narrowly making it, he’s frustrated with his accuracy, chipping, and pretty much everything else. And with the Masters just around the corner, his struggles have raised concerns.
It’s a worrying trend for a player who was once one of the top performers on the PGA Tour. With only a limited number of days left before the Masters, Schauffele’s fate hangs in the balance – can he turn his game around in time, or will his struggles continue to plague him?
According to Todd Lewis, speaking on the latest episode of Golf Channel on YouTube, “Xander Schauffele had an absolutely awful weekend. He didn’t particularly have a great week, clearly coming off the injury, clearly not 100%.” Ryan Lavner added to the conversation, highlighting Schauffele’s efforts to find his footing after the injury.
Despite his current woes, Schauffele is aware of his struggles and is committed to making adjustments. As Rex walked alongside Schauffele’s manager on the sun-drenched grounds of TPC Sawgrass, he gained insight into the golfer’s mindset amidst his struggles. Schauffele’s manager revealed that the golfer knew his limitations and committed to making adjustments. This hits back to Schauffele’s earlier statement, “Yes, I am [on a ball count]. I’m about to go blow that out of the water right now.” While this statement may seem optimistic, it’s clear that Schauffele is under pressure to perform.
Ryan Lavner praised Schauffele’s approach to his injury, saying, “I give Xander just so much credit… I felt like Xander put in the effort, put in the time to make sure when he came back, he was 100% or as close as possible to that.” However, Lavner also cautioned that Schauffele’s return to form may take longer than expected.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – SEPTEMBER 25: Xander Schauffele of the U.S. Team gestures on the 17th green during a practice round prior to the 2024 Presidents Cup at The Royal Montreal Golf Club on September 25, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
With only 21 days left for the 2025 Masters, Schauffele’s fate hangs in the balance. While he has the talent and determination to turn his game around, it’s unclear whether he’ll be able to do so in time for Augusta National but that does not mean the golfer is giving up anytime soon.
Xander Schauffele’s quest for form continues
After a disappointing performance at The PLAYERS Championship, many golfers opted out of the Valspar Championship. But not Xander Schauffele. The World No. 3 teed off at the Copperhead Course, determined to find his form. Schauffele’s season has been hampered by a rib injury, which forced him to withdraw from The American Express earlier this year. Since his return at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he’s struggled to regain his footing, carding a 4-over par with 14 bogies.
Schauffele’s aware that he’s not at his best, and he’s taking steps to change that. “I just need to get more reps,” he said during the pre-tournament press conference. “Competition golf is not the same as trying to play golf at home. It’s been a process, and I’m pretty determined to play better.” With the Masters looming, he’s got his work cut out for him. But he’s not giving up – he’s committed to putting in the work and finding his form, one rep at a time.
Xander Schauffele is walking a tightrope between recovery and competition. Limited practice has left his game a little rusty. Swing discomfort lingers, making rotation and follow-through a grind, costing him many games. Pushing too hard too soon could spell trouble. But, do you think the golfer can redeem himself at the Masters? Let us know in the comment section below!
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