Xander Schauffele’s display at the Tour Championship belied his rookie status and capped a dream season on the PGA Tour.
In 2016, Schauffele missed his PGA Tour card by an agonising $975 at the conclusion of the 2016 Web.Com Tour regular season before securing his playing rights through the tour’s finals series.
Mixed results characterised his start to life on the PGA Tour, missing six cuts in his first 12 events.
The 23-year-old’s fortunes then took a turn for the better at the US Open. An opening 66 thrust the little known American into the limelight. At six-under par, it was the best tournament debut by an American in their national championship. Not bad for a rookie whose surname most people struggled to pronounce let alone spell.
Unflustered by the attention, Schauffele remained in the hunt for the rest of the tournament. Another slice of history followed when he reached the magical 10-under par mark. Only 14 players before him had reached the mark at arguably the toughest major championship of them all.
With rounds of 66-73-70-69 and a T-5 finish, Schauffele announced himself to the world in style.
The US Open served as a huge shot of confidence. Three weeks later at the Greenbrier Classic, Schauffele was in the mix once more.
With 18 holes to play at The Old White TPC, he was just three behind leader Sebastien Munoz. A three-under par final round allowed him to pass a faltering Munoz who closed with a two-over 72.
Even after a maiden victory and four other top-10s, Schauffele’s season appeared to be coming to an end at the BMW Championship last week.
That was until a sizzling stretch during which he reeled off four birdies and an eagle over the closing six holes. This barn-storming finish helped Schauffele become just the 11th rookie in 10 years of the FedexCup to qualify for the Tour Championship.
Not for the first time this season, Schauffele proved he has the stomach to survive the cauldron that is Sunday on the PGA Tour. He remained patient, offsetting a bogey at the fourth with a birdie at six.
Six straight pars followed. Fortunately for Schauffele, his competitors found birdies as difficult to come by. At 13, after a perfect drive, Schauffele struck his approach to within 5′. He calmly rolled in his birdie chance to move one clear at 11-under par.
On the 14th, Schauffele again exhibited nerves of steel. Needing to hole a downhill right-to-lefter for par, he delivered the goods. His one-stroke lead still intact.
Seeking the Tour Championship and FedexCup double, Justin Thomas remained in striking distance. Birdies at the 16th and 17th pulled him level with the San Diego State product.
At the last, Thomas faced a lengthy putt with a massive right-to-left swing for birdie. Considering Thomas’ sensational season to that point, I didn’t put it past him to hole it.
And he nearly did. The ball tracked the hole for about 99% of its journey before sliding past at the last moment. Nevertheless, Thomas had set the clubhouse target at 11-under.
At his penultimate hole, Schauffele faced a tricky up-and-down after short-siding himself. With the most delicate touch, Schauffele made it look easy as he chipped up to within three-feet before holing his par putt. Yet another examination of character passed with flying colours.
On the 18th, knowing that a birdie would win it, Schauffele did not waver. The 23-year-old crushed his drive 347 yards right down the middle.
An approach just short of the green left Schauffele with two putts for the title. A lag up close left him with a routine putt for the biggest title of his career. Or so it seemed!
The firmly struck putt caught the edge of the hole before circling and threatening to stay out. When it finally dropped, Schauffele’s face said it all.
With the win, Schauffele became the first rookie in FedexCup history to claim the Tour Championship. He also finds himself firmly entrenched inside the top 50 in the world at 32nd.
In a matter of months, Schauffele transformed an ordinary rookie season into one for the record books.
The golf world won’t be forgetting the name Xander Schauffele in a hurry.
Photo: Getty Images
Free Drop Media 