Heading into 2025, you probably would have got incredible odds on the idea of neither Scottie Scheffler or Xander Schauffele winning on the PGA Tour before the Players Championship.
Of course, injury has impacted both Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele at the beginning of 2025. The world number one sustained a hand injury over Christmas which ruled him out for several weeks.
Meanwhile, Schauffele missed several events after teeing it up at The Sentry. The two-time major champion had been dealing with a rib issue for some time, and only made his return at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Obviously, both men have incredibly tough acts to follow after their respective 2024 seasons. Schauffele won two of the four majors, while Scheffler clinched nine victories worldwide.
Xander Schauffele shares what he noticed about Scottie Scheffler in a practice round ahead of the Players Championship
Scheffler is yet to open his account for 2025. But ominously for his rivals, he has generally not been too far away. And it seems that he has managed to impress the world number three ahead of the Players Championship.
Speaking to the media ahead of this week’s event, Schauffele shared what he noticed about Scheffler after they played a practice round together.
“I mean, I think I admire his shots more. I played with him nine holes today and he just hits it really nice. He chips it really nice and he hits it really nice. That’s sort of the things that I can see,” he said.
“It’s not like, he’s not hitting it 50 yards past anyone. He’s just hitting the extra fairway more than someone. He’s hitting it closer than everyone, and he’s chipping it closer than everyone.
“I had to do so much homework on the greens myself, I didn’t have time to watch him putt. So, yeah, he hits it really nice, and I think he’s just got really good structure and preparation, so it’s definitely something I take note of, but it seems like clockwork to me now.”
The part of Scottie Scheffler’s game which Justin Thomas thinks is better than many realise
It says a lot that it is a completely different aspect of his game which has really impressed another of one of the world’s best players.
Speaking in his own press conference ahead of the Players Championship, Justin Thomas claimed Scheffler’s mental game is better than so many realise. And clearly, it is a lethal combination when someone can combine the two qualities Schauffele and Thomas have identified.
Scheffler has hardly stood out in the opening weeks of the season, and yet, he has still registered two top 10s, while he was just outside that at Bay Hill this past week.
Scheffler has reached a level where top 10s no longer stand out. And it feels safe to assume that victory number one of the year is not too far away now.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
