What a member of Xander Schauffele’s management team was saying about him after three days of The Players Championship had finished

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To say that 2025 has, so far, been a frustrating year for Xander Schauffele would probably be a massive understatement.

Xander Schauffele was definitely one to watch heading into this year. He did something not many players on the PGA Tour could say they did in 2024 – and that was outshine Scottie Scheffler in one category. Of course, it was Schauffele who won two of the four majors last year.

It remains to be seen if he can add to that tally in 2025. But what has not helped has been the rib injury which had ruled him out for much of the early part of the year. And based on his performance at the Players Championship, the 31-year-old is still playing catch up.

Schauffele finished last of those who made the cut at TPC Sawgrass, posting rounds of 77 and 81 over the weekend. And it appears that he is searching for something within his game right now as he continues to dust off the cobwebs.

Xander Schauffele ‘clearly uncomfortable’ at the Players Championship

Speaking on the Golf Channel Podcast, Rex Hoggard suggested that the world number three was prepared to go against medical advice last week to get enough practice in.

“Xander is interesting to me. I sat on the range yesterday and talked to a member of his management team and as he said on Saturday night he had blown that ball count out of the water. He was tired of sitting around waiting to make sure the doctors were okay with him hitting the amount of balls that he needed to,” he said.

“I think at this point he just doesn’t have the reps yet, he has to figure out a way to ingrain that swing. He was clearly uncomfortable this week and was clearly uncomfortable last week at Bay Hill. It is getting late for him when it comes to Augusta. He will have one more start. He is going to play at Valspar and then he will take two weeks off.”

How Schauffele has performed at the Masters over the years

It was interesting that Schauffele won both the PGA Championship and The Open Championship in 2024 as they were arguably the two majors were his record was previously less impressive.

His US Open record is outrageous, with seven top 10s in eight appearances. But his performances at the Masters over the years have also been outstanding.

He finished tied for second in 2019 – behind Tiger Woods – while he has three more top 10s from his trips to Augusta National. So the course has definitely been a happy hunting ground for Schauffele over the years.

However, that will count for little if his game is not ready to tackle the Georgia pines. And it does appear that time is running out.