Ryan Lavner admits why he’s been ‘surprised’ by Xander Schauffele since his return from injury as his chances of winning the PGA Championship are rated

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Xander Schauffele must feel like the forgotten man heading into the PGA Championship – an event in which he is the defending champion.

There are a number of storylines heading into the PGA Championship. Obviously, Rory McIlroy won The Masters to complete the career grand slam last month, while Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau both head to Quail Hollow off the back of wins.

Meanwhile, Justin Thomas is putting himself in the mix on a consistent basis. He was also the last player to lift the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.

With that, it seems as though Xander Schauffele is going under the radar. Schauffele won two majors in 2024, including the PGA Championship, but following the rib injury which ruled him out for several weeks earlier in the year, the world number three has not been able to reach top gear.

Xander Schauffele’s hopes at the PGA Championship assessed

He has one top 10 on the PGA Tour in 2025. And while his recent form has not been terrible, it does not feel as though Schauffele has a lot of momentum right now.

Speaking on the Golf Channel Podcast about his recent form, Rex Hoggard explained why he is optimistic about Schauffele’s chances at the second major of the year. Ryan Lavner meanwhile, suggested that he is less hopeful.

“We know he went through the rib injury and it has taken him a while to get back to where he wants to. I guess I did not realise how much he has struggled off the tee in relation to how well he played off the tee last year and how much he has struggled on the greens. He is outside the top 160 in both of those categories. He was well inside the top 10 in both of those categories last year,” Hoggard said.

“I think he ended up finishing tied for 11th at Philly Cricket Club and what he was able to do well there that impressed me was not just drive the ball well but he also putted the ball a bit more like what we were expecting out of him. I would think Quail Hollow will be a perfect test for him.”

Lavner replied: “He almost won the golf tournament last year at the Wells Fargo Championship, had a big lead before he got hunted down by Rory McIlroy on the final day. It has been a slow burn for Xander Schauffele. I think I am a little surprised he has not put himself in contention. I know he missed the better part of two months, he is now three months into this comeback. Four consecutive top 20 finishes.

“You mentioned the driving and the putting has been a struggle, but I still think he has the tools to be a possible world number one player. He is that complete. He is that powerful. Now he has enough big game experience and validation to get across the line. I am just a little surprised he has not put himself in the mix yet. I think it might be a bit too optimistic to think all of a sudden he can put himself in major championship contention.”

How Xander Schauffele has performed at Quail Hollow during his career

Schauffele is no stranger to dealing with doubts after the Truist Championship. One of the key talking points after last year’s event was his inability to get across the line, particularly as a player without a major title to his name at that stage.

But of course, he emphatically silenced those critics one week later at Valhalla.

Schauffele finished second at Quail Hollow in each of the last two years, but his record before those finishes was mixed. And he did miss the cut the last time the PGA Championship was played at the North Carolina course in 2017. However, he won three points from four matches there during the 2022 Presidents Cup.

Clearly, it would not surprise some if Schauffele had a poor week this week, while others would not be shocked if he put himself in contention for a third major title.