Ryan Lavner states whether he believes Xander Schauffele can complete the career grand slam in the next two years

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Following the Wells Fargo Championship earlier this year, there appeared to be a real question mark hanging over whether Xander Schauffele was going to be that world-class player of this generation who simply could not get the job done on Sunday in the game’s biggest events.

Before the start of the 2024 season, Xander Schauffele had had 11 top 10s in 26 major appearances. However, he had not got across the line. In fact, the biggest victory of his career up until that stage had arguably come all the way back in 2017 when he won the Tour Championship.

So when he simply could not keep up with Rory McIlroy on Sunday at Quail Hollow, it did appear that there may be a psychological hurdle to clear which was much larger than any technical shortcomings within his game.

However, that was put to bed shortly after, with Schauffele winning the PGA Championship at Valhalla. He played the 18th with all of the pressure of the world on his shoulders, before making the birdie which won him the title.

Xander Schauffele halfway to completing the career grand slam

And if there was any doubt over his credentials, the 31-year-old would follow that by winning The Open Championship at Royal Troon. It was anyone’s tournament as the final groups approached the turn on Sunday before Schauffele took complete charge and did not look back.

Understandably, much of the focus right now is on Scottie Scheffler after his ninth win of the year last week. But speaking on Golf Channel Podcast, Ryan Lavner has suggested that there is a very good reason to believe that Schauffele could become only the sixth male golfer to win all four majors.

“When you look at the guys who could threaten, Xander Schauffele is an obvious one. He proved it at times in 2024 that his good is plenty good enough. You don’t win two major championships on those difficult golf courses if your good is not quite good enough,” he said.

“I still like the fact that he’s chasing Scottie. There’s no complacency, there’s no resting. He is still motivated to hunt him down. And I think interestingly, you look at Xander Schauffele, the two majors that now he has not won in terms of the Masters and the US Open, historically, traditionally, those are the majors in which Xander has performed best. And so, I think there’s actually a viable pathway for him over the next couple of years to potentially tick off the career grand slam.”

Who has previously won the career grand slam in men’s golf

Schauffele had his first top five finish in the PGA Championship this year, while it was only the second time he had managed it in The Open.

He has five top fives across the Masters and the US Open. Meanwhile, he has finished in the top 10 at four of the last six years at Augusta National.

What is incredible is that his worst finish in the US Open is tied for 14th. That marked the only time in eight appearances that he has finished outside of the top 10.

He will not be getting carried away however. Schauffele has seen the scrutiny Rory McIlroy comes under every year ahead of the Masters. And that question of whether he will finally win the one major missing from his collection probably does him few favours when the tournament gets underway.

Schauffele would obviously love to have the chance to be put under the same spotlight at some stage. And having silenced any doubters in 2024, it would be no surprise to see him thrive when the moment comes.