Jordan Spieth has expressed his amazement at something Xander Schauffele has done behind the scenes, which is particularly unusual on the PGA Tour.
Schauffele sealed his first major victory at Valhalla last week thanks to a nerveless final round to fend off the advances of a resurgent Bryson DeChambeau.
The American’s PGA Championship triumph was the perfect answer to his critics after he capitulated during the final round of the Wells Fargo Championship the week prior.
Schauffele will now head to Pinehurst as one of the favourites with major pedigree finally on his resume.
Jordan Spieth shares something Xander Schauffele is doing ‘in the dark’
Speaking ahead of this week’s Charles Schwab Challenge, Spieth was asked about his compatriot’s success in Louisville.
He told the media: “If you asked me if there was any doubt in your mind that he would win major championships, I would say I don’t know a weakness in his game. It’s not surprising at all. Am I inspired? Yeah.”
The three-time major winner also spoke of Schauffele’s added speed, something the 2024 PGA Champion has worked on methodically in recent years.
Spieth added: “One thing he has been doing which has been different is that he has looked to add speed but he has done it very methodically, very quietly, very in the dark. It’s been amazing watching him go after tournament rounds, like on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays, and he’ll go to the workout trailer and hit a heavy gym session after the ground. It’s not common out here.”
The 30-year-old also revealed that Schauffele will head to the workout trailer after his round, something that’s unusual on tour.
He explained: “There’s a few guys who will do it, but it’s still not common. Everybody goes before now, 10 or 12 years ago, half the field went before, and now everybody does, but he’s going after and hitting these heavy workouts with a goal in mind that he thought would gain a slight advantage.
“He already had a lot of speed, but he did it while maintaining his consistency in his short game, and it allowed him to hit shorter clubs into greens. Maybe over the course of four rounds, that’s a shot or two, and the way he did that patiently was very inspiring.”
Xander Schauffele could be the man to stop Scottie Scheffler
- READ MORE: What Scottie Scheffler has been doing on the greens ahead of the Charles Schwab Challenge
Golf has been crying out for someone to compete at Scottie Scheffler’s level for a while – and Schauffele’s PGA Championship outing should give the 2024 Masters winner something to think about.
As Spieth highlighted, it’s hard to pick holes in Schauffele’s game at the moment. His tee-to-green work is as good as anyone, and after his performance at Valhalla, he’s answered questions over his putting in the most pressurised moments.
Heading to Pinehurst, it would take a brave man to go against Schauffele landing another major championship. With the pressure off and a finely tuned game at his disposal, it will take an extraordinary performance to topple the eight-time PGA Tour event winner.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
