When Jim Furyk needed a player to go out and make a statement on Sunday at the Presidents Cup, it was not particularly surprising that he turned to Xander Schauffele to lead USA off in match one.
USA went into Sunday of the Presidents Cup in such a commanding position after a brilliant performance the previous day. They bounced back from being hammered 5-0 on Friday to win 6-2 across the two sessions and move themselves to within 4.5 points of victory. But they would have been braced for a fightback from the Internationals.
Perhaps surprisingly, Mike Weir opted to put Jason Day out first – perhaps hoping that the Australian would feel that he had a point to prove after playing no part in Saturday. But Xander Schauffele was in no mood to take it easy on his opponent.
Schauffele lost the second hole, but then won six of the next seven to end the front nine 5 up. He also made four straight birdies before the turn.
What people don’t realise about Xander Schauffele
Day would win one hole back with an outstanding pitch shot from the bunker to make an eagle on 12. But Schauffele would close out a 4&3 victory shortly after, which was the second largest win of the day. It also meant that this year marked the world number two’s best return in a professional team event in his career.
Of course, 2024 has been a stunning year for Schauffele. He has won two majors and become a talisman for the American side. Schauffele has added a remarkable amount of club head speed.
And speaking on The Smylie Show, Smylie Kaufman suggested that the distance Schauffele has added to his game has largely gone under the radar.
“Xander just was a dog, love to see him lighting up cigars anytime the US wins. It’s the one thing you know to expect out of Xander Schauffele is that he’s going to be very tough to beat, and again, very tough to beat this week,” he said.
“Couldn’t have been more impressed as well just with how hard he is hitting the golf ball, I think people just don’t realise how ridiculously far he’s hitting it. It’s just so impressive to watch him drive it.”
A mouthwatering rivalry ahead of 2025
It will be very interesting to see how Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler kick on in 2024. Scheffler had an amazing year, winning eight times worldwide before the Presidents Cup. But his teammate in Montreal has now matched his current tally of majors.
While most players felt Scheffler was the player of the year, they were largely more envious of Schauffele’s achievements in 2024. And thus, it seems incredibly difficult to predict who will have the better season next year.
Schauffele has been backed to win many more majors. And it was potentially significant that he went out in the first or last match in four of the five sessions in Montreal.
And if there was any wind left in the Internationals’ sails on Sunday, it was largely gone by the time Day accepted defeat against Schauffele.
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