While Xander Schauffele has not quite reached the heights of his 2024 season over the past year and a half, Phil Mickelson says the American looks sharp heading into this year’s major schedule.
During breaks from PGA Tour and LIV Golf commitments, Mickelson and Schauffele often get together for rounds away from the spotlight.
Both grew up in San Diego, although Schauffele has since relocated to Jupiter, Florida.
Mickelson has been a backer of Schauffele’s potential since the 2024 Open champion first broke onto the PGA Tour scene.
The 32-year-old has accumulated 10 PGA Tour victories, including two major championships, throughout his nine-year career.
And according to Mickelson, Xander is poised for even greater success.
Phil Mickelson sees Xander Schauffele returning to top form
Schauffele has not quite hit his stride early in 2026, having made some changes to his driver during the off-season. His slow start included missing the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open, which ended a run of 72 consecutive cuts made.
There have been signs of improvement though, with a T-41 finish at the WM Phoenix Open followed by a T-19 at Pebble Beach.
Mickelson believes Schauffele is close to putting it all together again. Speaking on Grant Horvat’s YouTube channel, he said: “Xander is playing some great golf.”
Horvat subsequently inquired whether ‘Lefty’ had been regularly playing golf with the 2024 Open champion during the off-season.
“Yes, unsuccessfully. He’s ready. Like, he’s ready to start the season,” the 55-year-old replied.
The six-time major winner also spoke about wanting Schauffele to appear in one of his YouTube matches. He said: “The reason I really want him to do an episode or do a match is he’s so funny.
“Like, people wouldn’t know that about him, and I think that his personality would come out. He is understated funny.“
With positive signs emerging early in 2026 and Mickelson backing him publicly, there are reasons for optimism around Schauffele as major season approaches.
Xander Schauffele will be keen to challenge for major titles again
It is clear that Schauffele is one of the most talented players on the PGA Tour, but injuries have played their part in slowing him down.
He has not quite been himself since picking up a cartilage tear and intercostal strain early in 2025.
That spell on the sidelines lasted around two months, and he never really found his rhythm again during what remained of the regular season.
Even so, he did manage to pick up a win later in the year at Japan’s Baycurrent Classic in October.
This season, Schauffele will be eager to get back into contention at majors again – something Phil Mickelson thinks could happen soon enough.
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