Xander Schauffele is back in action for the first time since missing out on an Olympic medal at Le Golf National.
The American looked well on course to challenge at the 2018 Ryder Cup venue before falling out of contention. Schauffele was ultimately left to watch on as Scottie Scheffler sealed his first Olympic title.
Despite missing out in Paris, Schauffele is on course to beat an astonishing Tiger Woods record and also push Scheffler all the way in the race for the FedEx Cup.
Schauffele is currently ranked second in the FedEx Cup standings and is well-placed to challenge for golf’s most profitable prize at the end of August.
First, however, is the first playoff event at TPC Southwind, a venue where Schauffele has struggled previously.
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Speaking to the press on Tuesday evening, Schauffele spoke about some of the difficulties he and the FedEx Cup top 70 will face this weekend.
“It’s a hard golf course,” said Schauffele. “It’s not the longest of courses, so you really have to be in position often, and there’s a sneaky lot more water than you think, too. It’s one of those golf courses where if you are a little off and you want to press – kind of what happened to me in Paris – one of those types of courses where guys can make it look really easy when you’re on.”
Schauffele, however, claimed scoring opportunities would present themselves.
“Greens are pure, conditions are good putts and good shots you’re going to shoot six, seven under here,” he added. “If you’re just a little bit off on some of those par-threes, you’re going to hit it in the water. That, and it being Bermuda, I grew up on the West Coast. I am hoping that me living in Florida has helped me a little bit on this sort of grass.”
Xander Schauffele’s St Jude Championship record revealed
Considering Schauffele’s usually highly high standards, his record at TPC Southwind hasn’t been overly impressive.
During the 2023 edition, he finished tied for 24th and eight shots back of eventual winner Lucas Glover. In 2022, Schauffele finished near the foot of the leaderboard on two under, 13 shots back of winning Will Zalatoris.
The 2019 tournament at TPC Southwind also saw Schauffele fail to contend.
Clearly, for whatever reason, the American isn’t particularly well suited to the course in Memphis, and this has to change if he’s to compete this week.
Given the elite nature of the field, scoring will no doubt go low, and Schauffele will need to produce his best-ever St Jude Championship performance if he’s to land victory number three of the 2024 season.
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