Xander Schauffele to LIV speculation addressed after he withdraws from PGA Tour event

Add as preferred source on Google

World number two Xander Schauffele will not feature in this week’s PGA Tour event in Palm Springs, California.

Schauffele has unexpectedly withdrawn from The American Express without providing a reason. The 31-year-old’s decision comes after Scottie Scheffler withdrew from the La Quinta event. The world number one is still recovering from a hand injury sustained on Christmas Day.

Schauffele was present in the PGA Tour season opener at The Sentry, where he finished in a tie for 30th on 17 under.

Xander Schauffele LIV Golf speculation

Somewhat unfortunately, as is the way within the professional game, speculation was quickly rife about Schauffele moving to LIV Golf after he confirmed his withdrawal.

However, such rumours have been dismissed.

Popular fan account Xander Schauffele Legion confirmed on X that the world number two won’t be sidelined for long and that his absence is undoubtedly not LIV-related.

“Out of respect for Xander and his team, I’m not going to give details about why he withdrew earlier today,” they wrote.

“All I’ll say is that I don’t expect him to be sidelined for long. We’ll see if he commits to the Farmers, and we’ll go from there when the field comes out on Friday.”

Another X account replied: “It’s not LIV, though, right?”

“Nope, no LIV,” wrote Xander Schauffele Legion.

Schauffele previously spoke to LIV representatives but has never been close to signing for the Saudi-backed venture.

• READ MORE: LIV Golf accused of ‘kicking sand’ in the PGA Tour’s eye in ‘fascinating’ move as deal still suggested to be far away

Who else is playing in the American Express?

With the American Express running alongside the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the first PGA Tour event hosted on the US mainland will be missing some big names.

Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre, and Akshay Bhatia are all in the United Arab Emirates competing on the DP World Tour before heading back Stateside. McIlroy’s first PGA Tour outing will be the AT&T Pro-Am at Pebble Beach.

What’s more, Collin Morikawa and Max Homa will also miss the Amex as the latest TGL fixture takes place at the SoFi Centre. Jupiter Links GC face Los Angeles GC as Tiger Woods takes to the tech-infused league for the first time.

Justin Thomas, Wyndham Clark, Patrick Cantlay, Billy Horschel, and Tom Kim are still competing at the Amex.