Xander Schauffele shares what he noticed about Scottie Scheffler’s injury after playing with him at the BMW Championship

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Scottie Scheffler appeared to be in some discomfort during the first round of the BMW Championship, and his playing partner, Xander Schauffele, has shared the latest.

Scheffler, who currently leads the FedEx Cup standings, carded a one-under 71 on Thursday and sits five back of leader Keegan Bradley.

Concern emerged after Scheffler quickly grabbed his back after playing his approach shot to the par-five 17th at Castle Pines. The world number one then leaned on his club before making the long walk up the fairway.

Scheffler gave a fitness update after his first round, and his playing partner Schauffele also shared what he noticed about his compatriot during Thursday’s play in Colorado.

Xander Schauffele shares Scottie Scheffler fitness update

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Schauffele currently sits at three under and looks well-placed to contend over the weekend.

Speaking after his round, The Open champion confirmed that Scheffler was suffering from tightness a number of times. “Yeah, there were a few times — maybe when he turned his head a few times, he looked a little stiff,” Schauffele explained.

“He was stiff at the Masters and at The Players and had to get worked on all those times. I guess it’s a bad sign for everyone else.”

BMW Championship injury would be cruel blow to Scottie Scheffler’s FedEx Cup chances

• READ MORE: Here’s all you need to know about this week’s BMW Championship at Castle Pines

Scheffler seeing his 2024 season end prematurely through injury would’ve been a bitter pill for the world number one to take.

Due to the nature of the FedEx Cup format, Scheffler’s absence would extinguish his chances of landing golf’s most lucrative prize in Atlanta.

Speaking before last week’s St Jude Championship, it was a scenario the Masters champion spoke about. “Hypothetically, we get to East Lake, and my neck flares up, and it doesn’t heal the way it did at The Players; I finish 30th in the FedExCup because I had to withdraw from the last tournament. Is that really the season-long race? No. It is what it is,” Scheffler said.

Thankfully, the American’s issues during the first round in Denver don’t appear to be serious, which, as Schauffele mentions, could be bad news for the rest of the field.