Xander Schauffele suggests the change Augusta National makes ahead of the Masters more often ‘than most people think’

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With the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Players Championship very much in the rearview mirror, the thoughts of most golf fans right now will be on the 2025 Masters, with the first major of the year just a few weeks away.

Two of the PGA Tour‘s biggest events have whetted the appetite for what is to come at Augusta National. The Players Championship, in particular, proved to be a fascinating appetiser, with Rory McIlroy needing a three-hole playoff to overcome J.J. Spaun at TPC Sawgrass.

The events also saw most of the tour’s biggest names tee it up on at least one occasion.

Obviously, McIlroy won the Players for a second time in his career. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler had two respectable results without finishing in the top 10 on either occasion. And Xander Schauffele was last of those who made the cut at Sawgrass.

Xander Schauffele shares what changes at Augusta National more than most people realise

Schauffele would have previously been one of the big favourites to win at Augusta National. He won two majors in 2024, while his record at the Masters is extremely impressive.

The rib injury which ruled him out for several weeks appeared to have set him back considerably. However, his 66 on Sunday at the Valspar Championship took him to just outside the top 10 at Innisbrook.

It remains to be seen whether Schauffele will play again in a tournament before the Masters. And following the Valspar, he explained what the build-up to the event can be like – and what changes you always have to expect ahead of the first major of the year.

“I’ve gone there on like a Saturday and it really, Saturday, Sunday is magical when there’s no one there and those practice rounds feel amazing,” he said. “But once Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, you’re playing three hour nine hole rounds and you’re hitting a ton of chips and putts and you feel like you’re kind of going through the motions and you’re sitting there and I never want that feeling of, gosh, I want this tournament to start.

“And that’s hit me on a Tuesday before when I’ve gone in too early. So maybe, just because some trees have fallen, I’m expecting Augusta to look the exact same. I know 16’s a new green but for the most part they resurface the greens more than most people think and they’re always a little bit different.”

How Xander Schauffele has performed at the Masters

The Masters is unique when it comes to the majors because it is, obviously, the one event which returns to the same course every single year. With that, previous form is arguably much more significant.

And Schauffele’s performances amidst the Georgia pines are certainly worth taking note of. Although it is one of the two majors he has not yet won, it is only the Masters where he boasts both a second and third place finish.

He has finished in the top 10 in four of the last six years, missing one cut in that time. So it would be no surprise if his round on Sunday at the Valspar Championship was enough to convince some fans to back the world number three to contend at Augusta – despite the potential changes.