In the two months I’ve been out of competition, I’ve taken the opportunity to review some numbers. It turns out that last year I won two Majors and in the world ranking, I’m closer to Number 30 than to Number One. And on top of that, after a period of inactivity, he goes and wins in the Bahamas and goes even further away. Hats off to Scheffler. He’s a beast.
These are the words of Xander Schauffele, the star of the Sentry Tournament, the first tournament of the year in world golf, which kicks off this Thursday in Hawaii and will open the PGA Tour calendar. Schauffele appears first in the photo due to Scheffler’s last-minute withdrawal, following surgery on his hand after a domestic accident with a glass last week. Xander understands his under-the-radar situation when Scottie is around, he finds it logical, but that doesn’t mean he resigns himself. Behind that innocent-looking face and impeccable behaviour lies a fierce and even tormented competitor. Hence the great paradox Schauffele battles with daily. It’s brutal because it’s related to the beast Scheffler.
It turns out that with Scottie, he has to make an effort to find motivation. He has admitted as much. “I have to try to hate him somehow, and it’s not easy. He’s a good guy, and honestly, I can’t say anything bad about him, especially after what happened to him last year. I think you show your true colours when you face a tough time, like when he was arrested at the PGA. In my opinion, he’s a 10 out of 10 guy. Then, he has his character, and when he shows it, I love it, like in the Presidents Cup, but the other person always has to start first. If you seek out Scheffler, you’ll find him, and he’ll respond, but it never starts with him. I look for him a lot, and he always responds. Therefore, to try to hate him, what my brain processes is to put him at the top of the mountain and see him as someone I have to catch. It’s the only way I can think of,” he explains.
Schauffele, no matter how much he likes and respects him, refuses to be a sidekick to Scheffler. He doesn’t like the role of the Coyote chasing the Road Runner. Therefore, he doesn’t hide that his great aspiration is to take the Number One spot in the world from him. However, and here comes another paradox, he talks about years ahead to catch him. He has the ambition, but at the same time, he’s realistic. “I need time and patience. I don’t think it’s going to happen this year, but we have to keep going this way, there’s no other way, but when I think about it, I think in terms of years…” he assures.
However, speaking of paradoxes, none is more palpable than on the 27th when he heard the news of Scheffler’s withdrawal. “I sent him a message, and I really wasn’t very comfortable, after all, he’s a rival, a competitor I want to beat, and it feels strange to wish him a speedy recovery – he said half-jokingly, half-seriously – in any case, it’s really a shame he’s not here. This is better with him here than without him. I hope he recovers soon, and we see him at the American Express.”
The other paradox with which Schauffele starts the year has to do with his game. As you know, he started working at the beginning of last year with Chris Como. Well, the results could hardly have been better, with two Major victories. However, Schauffele didn’t quite feel comfortable with his swing. “We made significant changes, and I noticed it very quickly with the driver and long irons. It was much better. However, having a more vertical swing, I’ve had problems with long wedge shots. It’s been a terrible year. The numbers have been awful. I’ve always been a great player from 150 yards down, but now, with the work I’m doing with Chris, it’s costing me. It’s what I’m working on the most to gain comfort. If I can achieve that, I think it could bring me closer to Scottie, but it’s not easy, especially after a competition break, where it’s easy to fall back into bad habits.” Be that as it may, Xander is clear that what he’s doing with Como is the right path, and he’s going to stick with that process to the end. “It’s about continuing with what we’re doing and finding a way to make it work with the wedges too.”
Finally, regarding which Major he’d like to win first to get closer to the Grand Slam, Schauffele explains: “I’m not going to choose, I like both. I think Augusta, with the redesigns, more distance, suits my golf well, and I love the US Open. It’s a tournament where you always feel like you’re fighting to make the cut, and I love that idea. I like it when I’m in that situation on a Friday, and I’m one of those who think I need an eagle on the last hole, a par 4, and I’m convinced I can make it from the fairway to play two more days,” he states.
In case you had any doubt that Schauffele is no pushover…
