Schauffele trying to regain rookie magic at Greenbrier
Xander Schauffele is still looking for the first win of his sophomore season after two in his breakthrough rookie campaign as he defends Greenbrier title.
It’s not quite a sophomore slump, but Xander Schauffele’s second year on the PGA Tour isn’t going as well as his first.
Schauffele returns this week to A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier, where last season he won his first PGA title. The 24-year-old established himself as one of the top players in the game with two wins in his debut season, earning Rookie of the Year honors. But 2018 hasn’t been as kind to him.
The good results are still there. What is still missing this season is a victory. It has been an inconsistent year for Schauffele. He tied for second at the Players Championship, but then missed two straight cuts. A sixth place finish at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills was followed by another missed cut at the Travelers Championship. He recognizes, however, that his play is the same as it was a year ago. It just doesn’t feel that way.
“Last year I kind of finished with a boom, obviously with two wins and this year we’re still looking for our first one,” he said at his press conference Wednesday. “I guess it’s not that bad of a year. Just doesn’t feel as good as we finished last. So I’m pretty hungry and good to be back at a place I feel comfortable.”
The first indication that Schauffele’s 2017 season would be special came with a fifth place finish at his U.S. Open debut. Then at the Greenbrier, he birdied the 72nd hole to beat Robert Streb by a stroke. Qualifying for the FedExCup playoffs, Schauffele earned a spot in the season-ending Tour Championship by going six-under in his final six holes at the BMW Championship. He carried that form into the next week, again birding the last hole to win by one against eventual Cup winner Justin Thomas.
Schauffele’s return to the Greenbrier this week is a chance to regain that success he had a year ago. Old White TPC is a place where he has good memories and feels comfortable, so there is no better place to do so. What has changed since last year is the expectations Schauffele faces entering the tournament.
“Last year I had zero expectations coming in. This year is different. You know, I won here last year and people are kind of looking at me to play well,” he said. “So I expect more of myself. I don’t know if that is good or bad. But, you know, learning you can win, especially at a course that you’ve only seen a few times, is definitely a good thing. So I’m going to try and take that into this week.”
A field lacking in star power is an opportunity for a young player like Schauffele to make a name for himself. No top 10 players are playing, and only five of the top 30. Phil Mickelson, however, is here and making his first start since his controversial U.S. Open. Norman Xiong, the 19-year-old Haskins Award winner, is making his first pro start. Part of the Open Championship qualifying series, four invitations to Carnoustie are available this week to anyone who finishes in the top 12 who is not already exempt.
Beginning the week of Independence Day, the Greenbrier is honoring America’s veterans. The event has been renamed A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier, and members of the armed forces are being given free admission.
If Schauffele needs some inspiration while trying to repeat, he doesn’t have to look far. Players like Justin Thomas, Daniel Berger and Jordan Spieth, like Schauffele members of the 2011 high school graduating class, followed their first PGA Tour victories with similar success. Schauffele believes he can be the next one.
“I remember Justin won in Malaysia, and he repeated. Berger won the St. Jude and he repeated. They’re all 2011 class grads, so I feel like I want to join that crew.”
Schauffele begins his title defence at 7:40 a.m. EST on Thursday with Aaron Wise and Austin Cook.