Xander Schauffele says what he thinks of Scottie Scheffler as a person and confirms how he responded to some on course needle

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Xander Schauffele returns to the PGA Tour after a well-deserved break following his fantastic 2024 season.

Schauffele takes on The Sentry at Kapalua in Hawaii this week, a PGA Tour competition he won back in 2019.

Nine-time PGA Tour champion Schauffele is among the 60-strong field at The Sentry, which includes defending champion Chris Kirk.

And Schauffele is among The Sentry favourites, particularly after the withdrawal of Scottie Scheffler through injury.

The world number one suffered a freak injury during the Christmas break, with surgery needed on his right hand that was damaged by a broken glass.

Xander Schauffele says what he thinks of ‘nice guy’ Scottie Scheffler

The Plantation Course at Kapalua hosts the event for the 25th time, where Schauffele will be able to somewhat close the gap on world number one Scheffler.

In his pre-tournament press conference, the former was reminded of his analogy last spring that the latter is on top of a mountain, and Schauffele is climbing it each day.

Asked if it is a helpful view for his competitiveness, he replied: “I think so. We’re all pretty competitive. We all want to beat each other pretty badly.

READ MORE: Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele praised for what they’re doing every week which most PGA Tour players only manage once a year

“He’s just such a nice guy, and I really can’t say anything bad about him, honestly, especially after what happened to him last year.

“I think the true colours show when you’re facing a bad spot, like when he got arrested. So he’s a 10 out of 10 guy in my opinion, so I got to try and hate him somehow.

“So if I put him at the very top of the mountain, and he’s someone that I need to catch, then maybe that’s how I have to put it in my head.”

When asked what’s the worst he’s taken from Scheffler because of his ‘sharp needle’, Schauffele responded: “Scott will only give it to you if you give it to him.”

And asked if he himself needs to start, he replied: “Yeah. He’s a nice dude, but you saw some fire from him.

“I was really happy the world was able to see that side of him at the Presidents Cup. He didn’t poke first, but he responded. So if you want to mess with Scottie, he’ll fire right back at you in the locker room.”

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The two-time major champion has often played the role of the clown on the PGA Tour in recent times, with Max Homa calling Schauffele a ‘pot stirrer’.

And it seems that Scheffler has not been immune to that humorous approach, with Schauffele also asked if he has messed with his compatriot.

READ MORE: Who is Scottie Scheffler? A look inside the life of the remarkable two-time Masters champion

“Of course I have,” he said. “I mess with everybody,” with the world number two then asked what he got in return.

“You know, a handful,” he said of Scheffler’s responses. “Nothing I couldn’t handle, but wasn’t surprised to get it back either.”

Schauffele does, of course, know exactly when to switch into full-focus mode, with a 10th career PGA Tour win now on his agenda for 2025.