Xander Schauffele makes career PGA Tour history at the Valspar Championship

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Xander Schauffele continued his preparation for the Masters by taking on the Valspar Championship, which was won by Viktor Hovland.

Hovland wants to improve for the Masters after his latest PGA Tour success, with the first major championship of the season taking place early next month.

Schauffele has been open with his caddy as he looks to regain his form, having had his 2025 season disrupted by a rib injury.

The two-time major champion has been limited to four starts so far this year, but just secured his best finish yet at the Valspar Championship.

Schauffele finished T12 at the Innisbrook Resort in Florida, on the back of his 72nd place at the Players Championship.

Xander Schauffele posts his highest ever Strokes Gained on Approach total at Valspar Championship

But along with his best display of the season, the American made career history with his strokes gained on approach last week.

Taking to X, the PGA Tour’s Paul Hodowanic wrote: “Just got this stat confirmed from our PGA Tour data team. Xander Schauffele gained 11.276 strokes on approach at the Valspar Championship.

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“That is the highest total he has ever had in his PGA Tour career. Played last week hoping to find form for the Masters. Progress made.”

Xander Schauffele soars SG: Approach leaderboard after Valspar Championship

Unsurprisingly, Schauffele ranked first for SG: Approach the Green at the Valspar Championship, where he posted a total of 17 birdies.

But the world number three also carded 10 bogeys and one double bogey throughout his 72 holes, along with 44 pars.

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There are, therefore, clearly a few areas that Schauffele will be keen to work on between now and the Masters, but overall he can be proud of his recent progress.

And that is particularly true of his SG: Approach the Green efforts, with the nine-time PGA Tour winner soaring that specific leaderboard after the Valspar Championship.