It says something about the player Xander Schauffele has become that he was the name Jim Furyk turned to to lead the US team out during the Sunday singles at the Presidents Cup.
The US were in the driving seat going into the final day of the Presidents Cup at Royal Montreal. A superb Saturday had left Jim Furyk‘s team 11-7 ahead, needing just 4.5 points to retain the trophy. Unsurprisingly, Furyk sent most of his big guns out early.
But those who expected Scottie Scheffler to lead the team off were in for a surprise. Instead, it was Xander Schauffele who was tasked with taking on Jason Day.
Schauffele lost the second hole to the Australian. But he would go on to make six birdies on his way to a 4&3 victory over the 2015 PGA Champion. Remarkably, the 31-year-old would reach 5 up before he would lose another hole.
Jim Furyk shares what Xander Schauffele was tasked with doing on Sunday at the Presidents Cup
It was the statement performance the US needed with the Internationals looking to be flawless in the hope of producing the most unlikely comeback. But it appears that it was not only how he played which had an impact on the rest of the team.
Speaking to Good Good, Furyk suggested that his players would often provide information which could then be fed down the order – with Schauffele playing that key role on Sunday.
“We are there more for support and messing round with the guys, having fun. On the par three I talked to the players and caddies before they started. I could give advice on the par threes. Wyndham would always want to know what did Tony hit here because they hit similar irons. One by one they said we really don’t want too much so I said I will stand to the side. But as the week progressed more and more of them came over and asked what was hit,” he said.
“We sent Xander out there early on Sunday and he would give us a number. Every time he hit a good shot on a par three he would say that played like 225. So we would give as much information as we can.”
The role Schauffele has taken on within the US team
There is probably no-one better to provide that information. Schauffele has taken his game to another level in 2024, winning two major titles. It does feel as if Schauffele has not missed a shot since teeing it up at the PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Admittedly, he was on the receiving end of a remarkable defeat on Friday in Montreal, with Hideki Matsuyama and Sungjae Im stealing the show in their match. But that was the only point Schauffele failed to win all week.
Schauffele has won seven points from nine matches across the last two Presidents Cups. Along with Patrick Cantlay, he has become the talisman of the American side – as reflected by Furyk trusting him to set the tone.
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