As the Masters Tournament swiftly approaches, all eyes are on Xander Schauffele, the world number three golfer who recently made his comeback to the PGA Tour at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Despite his underwhelming performance, where he finished 40th, Schauffele’s return to the green was far from insignificant. The two-time major champion had been sidelined with a rib injury and his main ambition was simply to navigate the tournament unscathed.
Schauffele’s injury had kept him off the course for several weeks. He himself had expressed uncertainty about his ability to withstand the strain of playing, especially when hitting shots out of the rough during practice rounds. However, he managed to complete all 72 holes at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, even saving his best round for the last day, posting a 69 to climb into the top 50.
With the Masters Tournament on the horizon, the question remains: Can Schauffele recuperate in time to be a serious contender? The golfer is certainly hoping to shake off any lingering rustiness in the coming weeks. Yet, Ryan Lavner, speaking on the Golf Channel Podcast, expressed doubts about Schauffele’s chances of getting his game where it needs to be for the first major of the year.
Lavner pointed out the challenges of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which he likened to Torrey Pines in terms of difficulty to make a comeback post-injury. He also mentioned the demanding 7,800-yard course and the thick rough. Nevertheless, Schauffele’s ability to make the cut, especially given the challenging weather conditions, was an impressive feat. This extends his PGA Tour-leading record to 58 straight events with a made cut.
While Schauffele may not be among Lavner’s top five contenders for the Masters, he is still considered a formidable player. He is slated to play at the Players Championship next week and is considering participating in either the Valspar Championship or the Valero Texas Open, both of which precede the Masters.
Schauffele’s record in major championships is truly impressive, with two wins last year alone. His performance at the US Open has been remarkable, with seven top 10 finishes in eight starts. Schauffele’s record at Augusta National is similarly commendable, with four top 10s in seven appearances, including a second-place finish in 2019.
So as we inch closer to the Masters, it’s worth remembering that course knowledge is paramount at Augusta National. And with Schauffele’s impressive track record, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he defies expectations yet again.