While Xander Schauffele appeared at TGL this week, the first real test for how his rib injury has healed is likely to come after playing 72 holes at Bay Hill in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The PGA Tour has received a big lift this week, with Xander Schauffele making his first start in a tournament since The Sentry. Schauffele had been dealing with a rib injury for some time, and decided that he could continue no longer after an underwhelming result at Kapalua.
The world number three did play in TGL in recent days. However, there will be plenty of intrigue surrounding how Schauffele will fare at Bay Hill, particularly as major championship season is rapidly approaching.
Bay Hill is one of the toughest tests on tour, particularly when the conditions go against the players. So it is hard to see the 31-year-old putting himself in contention given that some of his peers have a lot more momentum right now.
Xander Schauffele shares the first thing he did in practice ahead of the Arnold Palmer Invitational
In fact, there was potentially a question mark over whether Schauffele would tee it up at all.
Schauffele was asked whether he had any concerns after Jordan Spieth had endured some issues with his wrist since returning from surgery. And he admitted that he is wary of putting himself out of position a little too often over the coming days.
“Yeah, one of my first things I did yesterday when I played, teed off on 10 and hit the fairway, and then first thing I did was throw a ball in the rough and take a wipe at it. I was telling Austin, if this doesn’t go well then I’m going to get in my car and drive back to Jupiter,” he said.
“So, yeah, I mean, is there concern? I’m not really too concerned right now, to be honest. I feel like I’ve been pretty conservative with everything. Hopefully that pays off. If things go south, I won’t be scared to back off, just because it’s what’s down the road is more important.”
Schauffele admits concern over his form as the Masters looms on the horizon
Schauffele is far from the only player to spend some time on the sidelines at the start of the season. Scottie Scheffler missed the first few events of the year, while Spieth also did not appear until the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Scheffler has looked a little rusty at times, with a few mistakes on Sunday at Torrey Pines costing him the chance to win the Genesis Invitational. However, his third place finish that week sent out an ominous message to his rivals ahead of the Masters next month.
Schauffele is playing catch-up right now. And he conceded that he has a few concerns about having to spend some time dusting off the cobwebs over the next few weeks.
“I would be lying if I said I was in the most comfortable position ever. I’ve been practicing mentally to convince myself that I’m still in some crazy good form. Trying to use that sort of low expectation with serious focus to try and get the most out of what you’re doing. Just think about all the greats that have had to take some time off and came back and played really well,” he said.
“I think Scottie came back and he wasn’t close to winning, but played pretty decent and put himself back in the mix, so I don’t see why I can’t do that.”
It is going to be fascinating to see how Schauffele fares at Bay Hill. If he can indeed produce an impressive performance and potentially put himself in contention, then he will feel extremely confident that he can put himself in a good place ahead of the Masters.
It is now one of the only two majors Schauffele is yet to win. But he certainly knows how to get into contention at Augusta National.
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