Renowned golf professional Xander Schauffele is set to make a significant comeback at the prestigious Arnold Palmer Invitational, after a year marred by injury setbacks. Despite a lackluster start to 2025, Schauffele and his team are eagerly preparing for his return to the greens.
Facing a challenging year, Schauffele’s participation in The Sentry in January was questioned, with the golf star himself admitting that perhaps he was not ready to return to the fray. His absence from the PGA Tour was felt keenly, especially with other big names like Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth also missing from the roster. Fowler openly acknowledged his subpar performance, while Spieth has been grappling with form-related issues for the past year.
Schauffele’s return, therefore, marks a significant moment for both him and the sport. The focus now shifts to his performance leading up to the major season. His manager, Gao Ya Chen, recently shed light on Schauffele’s current state in a conversation with Golf Magic.
Chen confirmed that while Schauffele is committed to playing at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, it’s challenging to quantify his readiness. Despite his best efforts to prepare, Schauffele’s practice sessions have been limited due to his prolonged recovery period.
The anticipation surrounding Schauffele’s return is heightened by his past performances at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. As the world number two, his absence from the PGA Tour has been conspicuous, making his return a significant event for golf enthusiasts.
Despite his high standing, Schauffele’s track record at Bay Hill, the famous course where the Invitational is held, has been underwhelming. He is yet to claim a victory there, and his past results have left much to be desired. His debut in 2020 saw him finish tied for 24th, and he was absent from the field in 2021 and 2022. In the 2022/23 season, he finished 39th, while last year, he secured a 25th place finish.
Schauffele’s upcoming performance at Bay Hill will be a critical test post-recovery. If he surpasses his previous best finish at the venue, it could provide a much-needed confidence boost for the rest of 2025, reminding the golfing world that he remains a formidable competitor.
