Stefan Schauffele, father and longtime swing coach of Xander Schauffele, announced he will not attend the 2025 Ryder Cup. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Stefan revealed that his decision stems from a disturbing experience at a previous Ryder Cup event involving offensive language directed at Shane Lowry’s wife. This revelation creates tension around Xander Schauffele Ryder Cup attendance, as Stefan’s absence is notable given his close involvement in his son’s career.
Stefan explained his concerns:
“Do I miss the PGA Tour? No. I’m not going to the Ryder Cup either. I’m afraid of what’s going to happen in New York. I was there at Whistling Straits when they called Shane Lowry’s wife a w**** in front of him…”
—Stefan Schauffele, swing instructor
He further expressed dismay at incidents during the Ryder Cup in Rome, describing the conflict and behavior he witnessed as unacceptable.
“I couldn’t believe my ears. Then I saw what happened in Rome. That was utterly disgusting, claiming this money bullshit, and Rory behaved disgustingly in my opinion…It’s only going to get worse. It’s ruined my appetite for the Ryder Cup. It becomes unwatchable.”
—Stefan Schauffele, swing instructor
Xander Schauffele currently ranks second in Ryder Cup standings, narrowly behind Scottie Scheffler, the only player mathematically qualified for the 2025 event so far. Xander’s potential qualification raises questions about whether Stefan’s stance will change if his son officially makes the team.
Challenges continue for Xander Schauffele following injury return
As the defending champion at the Genesis Scottish Open 2025, Xander Schauffele is confronting ongoing struggles after recovering from a rib injury sustained earlier this year. The injury sidelined him for several weeks, and since his return, he has only managed one top-ten finish, reflecting a difficult performance period.
Xander detailed his challenges with form, describing persistent difficulty with certain shots.
“The way I was moving the club last year was still new, and the bad place I got the club to this year was new. I’ve hit a lot of bad shots from a certain place, but it was home for me. I’ve been playing from that, call it short and laid off, and shut.”
—Xander Schauffele, professional golfer
Looking ahead to his title defense at the 2025 Open Championship, which starts on July 17 at the Dunluce Course in Northern Ireland, Xander shared his main focus:
“What would make me really happy is that I can just play freely. I think the obstacles of trying to play really good golf and then playing bad golf and then just fiddling all day long is really what drives me nuts.”
—Xander Schauffele, professional golfer
Implications for Ryder Cup and future prospects
The revelation by Stefan Schauffele highlights the tension and emotional strain surrounding the Ryder Cup as it prepares to return to New York. His decision not to attend due to fears of hostile incidents signals ongoing challenges with fan behavior and event atmosphere. With Xander Schauffele poised to likely qualify and continue competing at a high level despite recent difficulties, the focus remains on how these personal and public pressures will influence both player and family involvement.
As the Ryder Cup approaches, the dynamics within the American team and among supporters will be closely watched, especially given the recent unrest and Stefan’s pointed criticism. The upcoming Open Championship at Dunluce Course will also serve as a crucial test of Xander’s resilience and form, potentially reshaping expectations for the season and major tournaments ahead.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Xander Schauffele a smoker?
A. Schauffele really enjoys smoking cigars. His dad got him into cigars when he was just 10 years old. His preferred cigar is the Montecristo No. 2. He has appeared in Cigar Aficionado magazine.
Q. Is Xander Schauffele a Liv player?
A. He has said before that he talked with LIV but decided not to join them. He has criticized Tour commissioner Jay Monahan. This happened after the Tour began talks for a funding deal with the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, which supports LIV. Since 2017, he has competed on the PGA Tour, where he is ranked as the world No. 5.
Q. Is Xander Schauffele on Liv?
A. Xander Schauffele’s father has stated that his son will not join LIV Golf following Xander’s significant victory at the PGA Championship.
Q. Is xander schauffele in LIV?
A. Xander Schauffele’s father has dismissed the idea of Xander joining LIV Golf after his impressive win at the PGA Championship. Schauffele achieved his first major victory at Valhalla, topping the leaderboard by just one stroke in a high-scoring event.