After a stunning double-major victory last year, golf star Xander Schauffele has found himself in a precarious situation. A rib injury and subsequent hiatus from the course have raised questions about his prospects for the 2025 season, following a less than stellar performance at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Last year, Schauffele realized his dream of securing two major victories in a single season, catapulting his career to new heights. However, his performance at the season opener, The Sentry, has dimmed the high expectations for his 2025 season. The former World No.2 revealed a rib injury following The Sentry and took a hiatus from the sport, returning for the Arnold Palmer Invitational. However, his T30 finish at The Sentry and T40 placement at the API have cast doubts on his potential contention for the majors.
These concerns were given voice in a recent Golf Channel podcast, where Rex Hoggard and Ryan Lavner discussed Schauffele’s performance. Lavner, while acknowledging Schauffele’s impressive streak of making cuts at 58 straight PGA Tour events, expressed doubts about the golfer’s readiness for the upcoming Masters. He suggested that Schauffele, having missed eight events due to his injury, might struggle to regain his form in time for the major.
The clock is ticking, with only four events – The Players, Valspar Championship, Houston Open, and Valero Texas Open – remaining before the Masters tee off. According to the PGA Tour insiders, Schauffele’s chances of contending for the top positions look slim. Positive results in the upcoming events could change this narrative, but only time will tell.
Meanwhile, another seasoned golfer is making headlines with his potential comeback. Six-time major champion Phil Mickelson, who experienced a performance decline after his last major win at the PGA Championship in 2021, has hinted at a comeback for the Masters. Despite a rather lackluster performance in the PIF league over the last three seasons, Mickelson seems to be regaining his form in the 2025 schedule.
After recording a T23 finish at Adelaide and an impressive 3rd place finish in subsequent rounds, Mickelson expressed optimism about his prospects. In an interview with Mike McAllister, he talked about his game, his goal of winning another major, and his preparations for Augusta. With consistent form and 7 birdies per round, Mickelson’s confidence seems to echo in his performance, raising hopes of ending his major drought.
As the oldest major winner with his last win in 2021, Mickelson aims to defy age and expectations. Will he succeed in becoming the oldest major winner at 54? Meanwhile, can Xander Schauffele overcome his injury setback and find redemption in the remaining events before the Masters? The golf world eagerly awaits these answers.