What Else Does Xander Schauffele Need To Do In Order To Win Player Of The Year? The World No.2 Has An Idea...
The World No.2 won two Major championships over the past 12 months, but even still, he admitted Scottie Scheffler stood head and shoulders above the rest...
By anyone's standards, Xander Schauffele has enjoyed an extraordinarily successful season already.
The Californian triumphed in Major championships not once but twice, he bagged three runner-up finishes and ended inside the top-10 15 times in 21 starts. Not to mention, he hasn't missed a single cut and won over $18 million along the way.
Taking a look at his stats, Schauffele was second in Strokes Gained: Total, first in scrambling, and second in scoring average - all compared to 150-plus of his PGA Tour peers.
And yet, there was one pretty talented young man who - remarkably - did even better with eight titles (including Olympic gold). In any other year, Schauffele would have been a dead cert for PGA Tour Player of the Year - following in the footsteps of some of the game's greats.
However, because Scottie Scheffler is around, the World No.2 admitted this week that he feels he is actually nowhere near in with a shout of taking home the title when the award is presented in a couple of months' time.
Speaking at the Zozo Championship ahead of a first individual start since the Tour Championship, Schauffele admitted he would have to enjoy a career year to stand a chance in the future.
Asked what exactly he would have to do in order to win PGA Tour Player of the Year, Schauffele half-joked: "I mean, it seems I need to have the best year ever. I just had my best year ever and wasn't really close.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"I'm pretty content with how I played and where my game is at. If I can keep on doing what I'm doing, I'd be very pleased."
Awards aside, the 30-year-old went on to reflect on his season as a whole - one that featured a victory at both the PGA Championship and the Open Championship.
He said: "[This year] was a dream come true. Winning two majors in a season is, you know, you sort of dream of that stuff and for me to be able to do it is very special. So I will always remember 2024."
Unlikely to be a coincidence in terms of Schauffele's step to the next level, his decision to look externally for a swing coach has certainly paid off.
Prior to hiring swing coach, Chris Como late last year, the two-time Major winner was working with his dad, Stefan. And they were doing well, but Xander wasn't winning Majors.
After receiving his father's blessing to try and find someone else to help him do just that, Schauffele met with the man who has coached the likes of Tiger Woods and Bryson DeChambeau. Cut to a handful of months later - mission accomplished. Two months after that, mission accomplished once more.
Explaining the impact Como has had on his career, Schauffele admitted it was strange to hear advice from a new voice at first.
On Como, Schauffele said: "He's been tremendous. I've known Chris for maybe 10 years now, but I've only been working with Chris for pushing probably just under a year, call it a year now.
"Yeah, I mean, I trust him a lot. I have put a lot of sort of faith in what he's telling me, just believing everything he's telling me and trusting everything he's telling me.
It's a scary thing obviously, I had pretty much the same coach my whole life and to get advice from someone new and to sort of put your whole, I guess, all of my tournament trust and feels and everything that goes into sort of competing at a high level into his corner was a really big deal for myself and my team.
"Chris is an awesome individual and definitely very happy that he's part of my team."
Schauffele tees off alongside Rickie Fowler and Min Woo Lee at 10:24am local time (9:24pm ET) in round one on Thursday.
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Joaquin Niemann. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and recently reached his Handicap goal of 18 for the first time. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
Reporter Shares Xander Schauffele Injury Details And Says World No.2 Has Been Struggling 'Since Late Last Year'
Golf Channel reporter Todd Lewis shared details on the World No.2's injury situation which caused Schauffele to withdraw from two recent PGA Tour events
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Scottie Scheffler Provides Update Ahead Of Injury Return
The World No.1 shared he was on track to return soon, but declined to confirm whether he would be back in time for the upcoming AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Reporter Shares Xander Schauffele Injury Details And Says World No.2 Has Been Struggling 'Since Late Last Year'
Golf Channel reporter Todd Lewis shared details on the World No.2's injury situation which caused Schauffele to withdraw from two recent PGA Tour events
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Scottie Scheffler Provides Update Ahead Of Injury Return
The World No.1 shared he was on track to return soon, but declined to confirm whether he would be back in time for the upcoming AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Farmers Insurance Open Prize Money Payout 2025
The PGA Tour remains in California this week, with the circuit moving to the iconic Torrey Pines and the Farmers Insurance Open
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Report: Replacement Venue Chosen For 2025 Genesis Invitational
The PGA Tour has confirmed the Genesis Invitational will temporarily switch locations in 2025, with one reporter claiming a new site has already been selected
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Justin Thomas Surpasses PGA Tour Milestone
Following on from his solo second finish at The American Express, Thomas becomes the 13th player in PGA Tour history to earn more than $60 million in career earnings
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Sepp Straka Claims Confident Victory At The American Express For Third PGA Tour Title
The Austrian completed a virtually blemish-free week with a two-under 70 to claim his first PGA Tour title since the 2023 John Deere Classic
By Mike Hall Published
-
Collin Morikawa The Latest Big-Name Player To Withdraw From Farmers Insurance Open After Xander Schauffele
The two-time Major winner has withdrawn from the Torrey Pines event, with his place in the 156-player field being taken by Wesley Bryan
By Mike Hall Published
-
Want To Enjoy The Phoenix Open In Style? This Luxury Hotel Package Has You Covered... For $250,000!
Luxury hotel Global Ambassador is offering the chance to enjoy the WM Phoenix Open in style - but it doesn't come cheap
By Mike Hall Published