It has been a frustrating start to the season for the PGA Tour, with many of their biggest names either not featuring or only playing a bit-part role in the opening weeks of the year.
Neither Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy have played on the PGA Tour this year, while Xander Schauffele joined Scheffler on the sidelines after The Sentry due to a rib injury.
Schauffele was not in contention in Kapalua, while he did not manage to impress on his TGL debut as New York were beaten in the inaugural match in the league’s history. So it probably did not come as a huge surprise when the two-time major champion’s injury news emerged.
It was reported this week that Schauffele has been cleared to practice again. But clearly, it is too soon for the 31-year-old to be in the field for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am this week.
Xander Schauffele earmarks event for return from injury
However, his return is not too far away, it seems. Speaking on Golf Channel, Todd Lewis suggested that Schauffele has set his sights on featuring at The Genesis Invitational – while there is a very small chance he could tee it up even earlier.
“The doctors this week have given him the okay. He is going to hit some full shots, get geared up, try to get tour ready once again,” he said.
“There’s a minor chance, and I mean very minor, that he could play next week at the WM Phoenix Open, but right now, he is targeting coming back for the Genesis, which is now going to be in his hometown of San Diego at Torrey Pines. He’s never won there, he would love to win that event. But right now, he is targeting that event.”
A much-needed boost for the PGA Tour to have Schauffele back in action
It is good news for the tour that all of their stars are closing in on a return. Scheffler and McIlroy are playing this week, while Schauffele is on course to return midway through February.
It has been a disappointing start to the year. The most exciting finish yet came at the Sony Open, and it was not exactly a star-studded leaderboard in Hawaii. And it is safe to say that many fans have been unhappy with the entertainment so far.
But this could now be a turning point, with two signature events coming in the next three weeks. And the tournament in between is the Waste Management Phoenix Open which always offers its fair share of notable moments.
It would be a big boost for the tour if Schauffele was in the field for Phoenix. However, the tour will benefit a lot more if the world number two is able to remain fit for the rest of the season and rediscover his best form.
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