Xander Schauffele Opens Up On Olympics Disappointment
The World No.2 co-led into the final round in Paris but ended T9th after a final round 73
![Xander Schauffele takes off his cap at the Olympics](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rGY6XJeLgFzVtcQYsafn84-415-80.jpg)
Xander Schauffele has admitted he was "pretty bummed out" after a disappointing end to the 2024 Olympics saw him miss out on a medal.
The two-time Major champion and Tokyo 2020 gold medal winner was tied for the lead heading into the final round but went on to shoot a closing 73 to miss out on the bronze medal by five strokes after making three bogeys and a double in his last 11 holes.
He ended the week in T9th and seven behind winner Scottie Scheffler, who outscored him by 11 strokes in the final round after equalling the course record of 62.
Speaking ahead of this week's FedEx St Jude Championship, the World No.2 had a chance to reflect on his double-Major year so far but said he was "too busy" thinking about the Olympics disappointment.
"Yeah, it's nice to break off some wins. Major championships are always a bonus. You always dream of doing it, and to do it twice in one year is really special. Over the moon when I let my brain go back to that time," he said of his year.
"But I'm too busy thinking about how I just finished my last event there in Paris. Maybe it's a good thing, maybe it's a bad thing, who knows. But I've been trying to get ready for these Playoffs."
Schauffele then described the moment he realized he wasn't going to be on the podium and had gone from the heat of the battle to simply spectating.
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.
"It was bad. Yeah. I mean, I'm stubborn. My team would be the first people to tell you that. They ask me how I'm doing, I'm fine. I'm always fine. But I was probably more tired than I thought I was," he said.
Schauffele was speaking ahead of the FedEx St Jude Championship
"Yeah, I take pride in finishing strong, and to do that was - I was pretty bummed out. I went from thinking I could have a good look at gold to maybe silver, then to bronze, and then to, wow, I'm just spectating now.
"That's sort of what happened the last seven, eight holes of that tournament. So that was a bit of a bummer, especially with how the fans were out there. It must have been such a cool feeling to be in the hunt with important shots coming down that stretch, 15 to 18.
"Yeah, I look at it, I just want to identify. Sat down with Chris [his coach, Chris Como] already, sort of identified what happened. I don't want to get back into my old habits that I've been trying to get out of in these last two or three months working with him, and I think some old ones sort of slipped in there. When I tried to put my foot down, it got worse, and I paid the price for it heavily."
Schauffele again mentioned Paris and how he pressed too hard when describing this week's test, TPC Southwind.
"It's a hard golf course. It's not the longest of courses, so you really have to be in position often. There's a sneaky lot more water than you'd think, too. I think it's one of those courses if you're slightly off and you feel like you want to press, kind of what happened to me Sunday in Paris, one of those types of courses. Guys can make it look really easy if they're on."
Schauffele says he was proud of Scheffler
And despite being "butt-hurt", he revealed he was proud to see his rival and fellow American Scottie Scheffler on top of the podium when the national anthem played at Le Golf National.
"It's weird; I'm not going to lie. It's the weirdest feeling. I was watching from the sort of family section, the podium, and when Scottie was up there and our flag was raised and he started crying up there, I was butt-hurt about my own round, and then I was sitting there like, yeah, this is pretty cool.
"I can be rational most times, but I felt so emotional in that state to where I was butt-hurt about how I played and then sorta proud and happy that Scottie won it. It's hard to explain, the swing of it. Then out here this week playing with him these next two days and we're all just trying to beat our heads in. It's a funny feeling."
World No.1 Scheffler and No.2 Schauffele are paired together this week in the FedEx St Jude Championship tee times, with play getting underway on Thursday.
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
-
I’m A 3 Handicap Golfer And Here Are 7 Things I’ve Added To My Bag In 2024
Joel Tadman made some wholesale changes to the gear in his bag this year which have had a positive impact on his play. Here's what you can learn...
By Joel Tadman Published
-
How Well Do You Know The Solheim Cup Trophy?
The Solheim Cup trophy is made by luxury Irish crystalware company Waterford
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Former PGA Tour Pro Opens Up On Battles With Alcoholism
Steve Wheatcroft has opened up on his issues, which came to the surface in 2019, three years after he retired from the game
By Mike Hall Published
-
Report: PGA Tour's McIlroy And Scheffler To Face LIV Golf's DeChambeau And Koepka In TV Match
A report from Eamon Lynch at Golfweek states that the four stars are set to appear in a made-for-TV contest to be held in Las Vegas in mid-December
By Mike Hall Published
-
PGA Tour Pro Wins 59th Mini Tour Event To Claim $1,333 First Prize
Eric Cole shot a 10-under 61 at the Abacoa September Classic on Florida-based developmental tour the Minor Golf League
By Mike Hall Published
-
Big Names Missing The Presidents Cup
Who are the notable players to miss out on the US and International teams for the 2024 Presidents Cup?
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Justin Thomas Reacts To Missing First US Team In Eight Years After Presidents Cup Omission
In a lengthy social media post, Thomas said he was "very bummed" to miss out on the Presidents Cup while also announcing he is set to become a father in November
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Which 10 DP World Tour Players Are In Line For A 2025 PGA Tour Card?
Due to the DP World Tour's strategic alliance with the PGA Tour, 10 European-based golfers are set for a US-based season in 2025
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
Collin Morikawa Happy To Finish Top Of ‘Fake’ Tour Championship Leaderboard After FedEx Cup Runner-Up
The two-time Major winner is taking comfort from being the top performer at the East Lake event, even if it didn’t give him the FedEx Cup title
By Mike Hall Published
-
'At The Very Least, The FedEx Cup Playoffs Need A Re-Think'
Is it time for the FedEx Cup finale to look at alternative formats, or does the staggered start work? We discuss...
By Elliott Heath Published