Even though the Baycurrent Classic does not hold much weight on the PGA Tour schedule, it still offered a timely reminder of Xander Schauffele’s ability as he picked up his first win of the 2025 season.
The year has not been straightforward for Schauffele. He missed a chunk of the early schedule through injury and needed some time to find his rhythm again. He also did not qualify for the Tour Championship, which was an unfortunate first for him as a pro.
That likely felt like a step back, especially given that in 2024 he had won two majors: the PGA Championship and The Open Championship.
Many expected him to emerge as Scottie Scheffler’s main rival this year, but that matchup has not really materialised yet.
How Xander Schauffele views Scottie Scheffler’s 2024 success
Plenty of players might have preferred Schauffele’s 2024 season, despite the world number one finishing with nine wins across the globe, including The Masters and an Olympic gold medal.
However, Schauffele has acknowledged that Scheffler’s run may have overshadowed his own major titles. Speaking on the Earn Your Edge podcast, he opened up about the frustrations he felt during his injury spell and how it motivated him to close the gap between them.
“On reflection, I’m in a weird place. I’ve been angry, I’ve been sad. I’ve been excited to play, and sad again because I couldn’t, trying to come back and then being halted. In terms of the overall reflection, I feel pretty similar. I feel the game’s been taken away from me. It sounds dramatic, but I’ve always been able to practice and play and do what I’ve always wanted to do my entire life and this has been the first time I’ve ever been halted.
“I love all the small things about golf. I love hitting balls. I love putting. I love chipping. I love playing with my friends. I love seeing the ball fly, all that stuff I still love. A deep appreciation has dawned over me recently, knowing everything’s going to be fine and knowing I’ll be able to compete again.
“Guys like Scottie Scheffler, I have achieved a lot, but in a sick way, he’s made it not very special in my competitive mind because I’m still so far away from him. Then you tie in, confidence is this little plant. My plant’s got absolutely stomped out. I’m trying to train my brain right now to think why not come back and play really well? Just because everyone talked about rust,” Schauffele concluded.
Breaking down the numbers behind Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler’s 2024 seasons
In 2024, Scheffler’s form was unmatched. His stats from tee to green led almost every major category, with putting being the only area where he was not above average. Even then, he still held his own.
Schauffele quietly put together a consistent year as well, finishing inside the top 50 in every strokes gained category.
| Strokes gained category | Xander Schauffele’s PGA Tour rank (2024) | Scottie Scheffler’s PGA Tour rank (2024) |
| Off the tee | 10th | 2nd |
| Tee to green | 2nd | 1st |
| Approach | 6th | 1st |
| Around the green | 42nd | 17th |
| Putting | 12th | 77th |
| Total | 2nd | 1st |
Scheffler has since turned his putting into a real strength in 2025, something that has not gone unnoticed by the rest of the field as they look ahead to next season.
But it has not all been one-way traffic. Schauffele had a solid showing at Bethpage during the Ryder Cup, leading Team USA in points earned over the week.
Now, with another win already under his belt this year following his recent success in Japan, Schauffele looks to be finding momentum again.
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