What Xander Schauffele told his caddy on the last hole at Augusta when Tiger Woods won the Masters in 2019 and he was runner-up

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Xander Schauffele will perhaps have bittersweet memories of the 2019 Masters, having narrowly missed out on the title to Tiger Woods.

Woods has been enjoying himself on TGL, with the 15-time major champion yet to make his PGA Tour debut this season.

American icon Woods caught up with Ludvig Aberg at the Genesis Invitational, having made a closing ceremony appearance at the tournament that he hosts.

Schauffele meanwhile has managed just one event this time around, with the world number two currently dealing with a rib injury.

It remains to be seen when both Woods and Schauffele return to the PGA Tour, although both will likely be eyeing an appearance at the Masters.

Xander Schauffele told his caddy they can win at Augusta after 2019 Masters

Augusta National Golf Club will welcome the world’s best in April, in what is the first major championship of 2025.

The iconic venue previously hosted an intriguing battle between the pair, when Woods edged out Schauffele and indeed Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka to win the Masters in 2019.

READ MORE: PGA Tour and LIV Golf deal expected to be announced very soon and possibly before the Masters in Augusta

Schauffele secured his joint-best finish at a major championship at the time as he finished on 12-under, just one behind the champion.

Asked in his post-tournament press conference where the balance between disappointment and satisfaction lay, he replied: “I think this situation is very unique.

“I’m not one bit sad. I told my caddie on the last hole that we just proved to ourselves that we can win on this property, and you know, I started with a 73, so I was very behind the 8‑ball and clawed my way back.

“If I just have a little more experience, even coming down the stretch, I had a couple putts that I’ve never hit on property and I was sitting there laughing with my caddie because I hit it six feet past or left it five feet short, and I’m sitting there grinding on my 70th hole to try to not three‑putt under the gun, but I’m sitting there, I’m like, I’ve never seen this putt before.

“With what we just witnessed with Tiger coming off 18, it was a throwback, seeing him in red in the mock turtleneck.

“It’s what I saw as a kid, and it was just really cool to know him a little bit now and congratulate him coming off 18.”

Xander Schauffele thrilled by ‘incredible’ Tiger Woods 2019 Masters win

Schauffele may have started off poorly at Augusta with an opening round 73, but recovered superbly with a round two 65.

The American then carded rounds of 70 and 68 to post a four-day total of 276, tying with Johnson and Koepka.

READ MORE: He pulled off the biggest comeback in Masters history coming from eight shots back to triumph at Augusta

Woods, however, was in formidable form, although it was Schauffele who edged out his compatriot at the 2018 Open Championship.

The former finished T2 at Carnoustie as the latter ended T6, although Woods did manage to triumph at the 2018 Tour Championship, where Schauffele was T7.

Asked if there was a difference between Woods being in contention at Carnoustie and Augusta, Schauffele said: “The crowd was incredible.

“I think it just speaks volumes to where his game is at, contending at Carnoustie and playing here. Obviously he has a few more rounds under his belt here on property.

“I saw him win at the Tour Championship, along with everyone else, and I saw him make history again today.”

And asked what it was like being on the Augusta course with the legend as he won his fifth Masters title with a stunning comeback, Schaffele said: “Like a dream, honestly. It’s what I watched as a kid. It’s what I watched growing up.

“Just everything about it, and for me to be a part of it and, you know, give it a good run, I knew once I was on 17 and I heard a lot of roars, I knew he was on 16 and I knew he used the ridge properly like he should. I knew that my work was pretty cut out. It was an incredible experience today.”

Woods has not won a major title since that stunning victory, while Schauffele has twice become a major champion, winning the PGA Championship and The Open Championship last year.