Xander Schauffele’s Journey Back: A Promising Return Amidst Challenges
The Valspar Championship marked a significant event for several golfers, but none more so than Viktor Hovland, who ended a 574-day drought by securing his first PGA Tour title since the 2023 Tour Championship. Meanwhile, Justin Thomas came agonizingly close to victory, finishing as the runner-up for the second time this season. His final round was impressive, but two bogeys in his last three holes cost him the title.
However, a key storyline from the event was Xander Schauffele’s performance. The two-time major champion and World No.3 achieved his best finish of the season, securing a T12 placement in only his third tournament back following a rib injury. Schauffele also extended his remarkable streak of consecutive cuts made to 60, making him only the sixth player in history to reach this milestone. The record, held by Tiger Woods, stands at 142.
Schauffele’s Return and Performance at the Valspar Championship
Speaking after his final round at the Copperhead Course, Schauffele acknowledged that while he has been improving, there is still work to be done. Since coming back from his injury, he has played a demanding schedule, starting with the Arnold Palmer Invitational (T40 finish), followed by the PLAYERS Championship (T72), and now the Valspar Championship without any rest. Understandably, fatigue is setting in. He admitted, “I’m more tired than I was,” but remained optimistic, stating that he was looking forward to some much-needed recovery time.
Despite this, Schauffele’s performance at the Valspar showed positive signs. He delivered a strong final round, posting a five-under-par score to climb up the leaderboard. His driving accuracy and strokes gained off the tee were areas of concern—he ranked 74th and 76th in these categories, respectively. Comparatively, at last year’s PGA Championship, where he was victorious, he ranked 3rd and T16. Addressing these inconsistencies will be crucial moving forward.
To improve, Schauffele has been closely working with his swing coach, Chris Como. His primary focus is on adapting his game and making the necessary adjustments, even if it means compensating for certain issues. His approach is simple: “Just get it done.”
Upcoming Challenges: TGL Final and the Masters
Before shifting focus entirely to the PGA Tour’s biggest events, Schauffele has another important commitment—the TGL Final. His team, the New York Golf Club, reached the best-of-three championship series after defeating the Los Angeles Golf Club. They will now face the Atlanta Drive GC, with the final taking place across two nights, March 24 and 25.
Schauffele acknowledged the physical and mental toll of his busy schedule. While he will participate in the TGL Final, he plans to take a break afterward, skipping the upcoming Texas Children’s Houston Open and the Valero Texas Open. This means his next official 18-hole event will be the Masters at Augusta National.
The Masters is a familiar stage for Schauffele. He has come close to victory in previous editions, finishing T2 in 2019, T3 in 2021, and 8th in 2024. However, Augusta has also been the site of his last missed cut, which happened in 2022. Given his current form and fatigue, there is speculation about whether his streak of 60 consecutive cuts made could be at risk.
Can Schauffele Regain Top Form in Time for Augusta?
Schauffele’s recent performance suggests that his game is improving, but consistency remains a challenge. If not for his third-round struggles at the Valspar, his overall performance could have placed him in contention for the title. His ability to put together four solid rounds will be key at the Masters.
For now, the World No.3 will look to navigate the TGL Final while managing his recovery. His decision to take a break before Augusta indicates that he understands the importance of being fully prepared for the season’s first major. Whether he can overcome fatigue and driving inconsistencies to mount a serious challenge at the Masters remains to be seen.