Brandt Snedeker shares what Xander Schauffele immediately did ‘way different’ to anyone else on PGA Tour

Add as preferred source on Google

Brandt Snedeker has shared what he remembers about Xander Schauffele from the first time he saw the 30-year-old playing on the PGA Tour.

Xander Schauffele has unquestionably been one of the most impressive and consistent players on the PGA Tour in recent years. He had won seven times on the tour coming into 2024.

Of course, this season has proved to be a breakout year for Schauffele as an elite player. He followed disappointment at the Wells Fargo Championship by winning the PGA Championship shortly after for his first major title. And a second was not far behind, with Schauffele clinching The Open Championship at Royal Troon last month.

Schauffele’s record before this year suggested that the major wins were always likely, with 11 top 10s in the game’s four biggest events before 2024. But perhaps some expected greatness even earlier.

Brandt Snedeker shares what he stayed with him about the first time he saw Xander Schauffele play

Speaking in his press conference ahead of the Wyndham Championship, Snedeker was asked about the young players who have stuck out to him during his time on tour.

“I’m so old here, I’ve been impressed by a ton of these guys now. I remember the first time with Xander, when he first got his tour card and, okay this sounds different, the way he hits the golf ball, way different to anybody else I hear out here,” he said.

A huge moment in Schauffele’s career

It was clear for some time that talent was not the reason Schauffele was unable to get across the line in majors. He has now finished in the top 10 in half of the majors he has played during his career – that is a remarkable return.

But he had previously been unable to get the job done in the majors. Justin Thomas has recently spoken about how Schauffele should have won so much more often. So it is hard to overstate how important it was that he cleared that hurdle at Valhalla earlier this year.

• READ MORE: Broadcaster suggests how many majors Xander Schauffele will end up winning

Golf fans have seen how hard it has been for Rory McIlroy to end his current major drought, with the pressure seemingly ramping up every single year.

Schauffele was starting to deal with similar questions, particularly after Quail Hollow. But he ensured that he put that debate to bed – and quickly added a second major title for good measure.