In 2024, Wyndham Clark left spectators in awe when he overcame a back injury to secure a T4 finish at the Masters at Augusta National. His secret to success? A mental shift, choosing to focus on the game of golf itself rather than his physical limitations. Fast forward to 2025, and it seems Xander Schauffele is treading a similar path, particularly in the light of his struggles at THE PLAYERS.
Schauffele’s performance at THE PLAYERS left much to be desired. Carding 13 over to finish at 72, the tournament was a steep contrast to his recent successes. However, when quizzed about his surprising contention at Valspar, Schauffele didn’t mince words. “81 and, you know, a pair of hockey sticks or whatever I shot are bad scores, obviously,” he openly admitted, acknowledging his need to work on multiple aspects of his game.
TPC Sawgrass is notorious for its challenging course, but Schauffele saw it as an opportunity for improvement, a chance to identify and rectify his shortcomings. Despite making the cut line, a 72nd-place finish was far from ideal, particularly following his lackluster T40 finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
After a stellar 2024 season where Schauffele claimed two major championships, his momentum was abruptly disrupted by an intercostal rib strain. This week at Valspar, however, he found the clarity he needed. He made the cut and after two strong rounds of 69 and 67 at Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course, he was back in contention at T5.
When questioned about his progress, Schauffele’s response was one of patience and perspective. “Yeah, it’s a process. I’m aware of that,” he acknowledged. He then shared six simple words that encapsulated his new philosophy: “So I’m just trying to play golf.”
Schauffele’s journey back to this simplified mindset was far from easy, especially considering the physical challenges that started the year. His recovery from a rib injury was more challenging than anticipated. Diagnosed with an intercostal strain and a minor cartilage tear near his T-6, T-7, and T-8 regions, Schauffele attempted to play through the pain at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in January before acknowledging the severity of his condition. This led to an eight-week break from competition, a significant setback for a player of his caliber.
Regaining his form proved to be a tougher task than Schauffele initially expected. The mental aspect of recovery was as challenging as the physical rehabilitation. Despite maintaining one of the PGA Tour’s most impressive streaks—59 consecutive made cuts dating back to the 2022 Masters—Schauffele struggled to live up to his high standards.
However, his improved performance at Valspar signals a positive shift in his game. With Augusta National on the horizon in just three weeks, this mental recalibration may be just what Schauffele needs to get his game back on track.
