The very best in the world in golf seem to be on another stratosphere to the average golfer and at times, are a cut above the rest of the players in the field as well.
We see on a weekly basis on the PGA Tour how the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele always seem be in contention, while over on LIV, the likes of Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm show their class as well.
Of course, any player who has made it to the PGA or LIV Tours is a special golfer, given the handful of players who actually make it pro.
But still, the age old question of what separates the very best from the rest has rumbled on for years.
Thankfully for us, Golf Digest journalist Jamie Kennedy has done his best to explain just why the elite are where they are.
And in doing so, he’s used Xander Schauffele’s 2024 as a great example of being a world-class golfer.
Xander Schauffele out on his own with one golf stat in 2024
Speaking to Kyle Porter for Normal Sport, Kennedy was asked about the difference between a top PGA player and the very very best in the field.
And sharing a stark statistic, Kennedy explained why someone like Xander Schauffele is now one of the best around,
“You asked the difference between someone like Denny McCarthy and Xander. To me, it’s that idea. Denny is a great player but he is a one, maybe two, tool player. Xander, especially this year, has become what I’m calling a four-tool golfer,” Kennedy said.
“As you know, there are essentially four strokes gained measures in golf: off the tee, approach, around the green and putting. While McCarthy excels in putting, Xander excels in all areas. He is top 25 in all four.
“There were only 20 golfers who gained strokes in all four areas of the game this year. Xander was the only player who gained more than 0.2 shots in all four areas. That’s what makes him great. All golfers, of any level, strive for consistency.
“Xander has become consistent, only he has become consistently elite.”
As we know, Schauffele finally got over the hill this year and won not one but two majors.
Going into 2025, he is very much going to be the man to beat and we could be in for some ding-dong battles with Scottie Scheffler.
If he can maintain the levels demonstrated here by Kennedy, then Schauffele won’t be too far off adding to his major haul.
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