At the BMW Championship in Owings Mills, Maryland, Xander Schauffele is fighting to secure his place in the TOUR Championship as he stands 43rd in the FedExCup standings. With only the top 30 advancing, Schauffele must finish at least 21st in the tournament to remain in playoff contention, a position he has never faced before in his PGA TOUR career.
Entering the BMW Championship, the stakes are higher than ever for Schauffele, who is navigating what many would call a difficult season. Injuries and inconsistencies have pushed the world No. 3 into unfamiliar territory, forcing him into a survival mode in one of golf’s most important playoff events. His struggle comes despite his breakout 2024 season, where he claimed two major titles, making his current position all the more surprising.
Unraveling a Surprising Turn in Schauffele’s Season
Given his high world ranking and success earlier in the year, few expected Schauffele to be battling just to qualify for East Lake again. In previous years, he has been a dominant force at the TOUR Championship, never finishing worse than eighth since first winning there in 2017. His absence would mark a significant void in this year’s season-ending event, especially considering his skill and track record at that venue.
Even my rookie year, I was in a better position,
Schauffele reflected on his current challenge.
It sort of has that rookie year vibe to me a little bit. Just sort of need to work my way through the Playoffs. This is kind of it for myself and my team, and just got to try to leave it all out there.
—Xander Schauffele, PGA TOUR player
Injuries, including a rib injury that sidelined him early in the season, have contributed to Schauffele’s downturn, but inconsistent performances off the tee and on the greens have played an equally significant role. Despite maintaining elite approach shots—his iron game ranks tenth on the TOUR in Strokes Gained: Approach—he struggles with driving accuracy and putting, ranking outside the top 100 in driving and 120 in putting.
Technical and Mental Hurdles Impacting Schauffele’s Game
The contrast between Schauffele’s 2024 performance and his current form is stark. Last year, he recorded 15 top-10 finishes and 20 top-25s over a longer schedule, whereas this season he has only three top-10s and nine top-25s. His coach, Chris Como, has worked with him to regain confidence and improve his game after the rib injury, but challenges remain.
There’s a few sort of outlier events where I drove it horrendously and putted horrendously and chipped horrendously,
Schauffele admitted.
… It’s a work in progress … it’s been one of those things where I’m trying to find a cue or a feel or just something I can go with. Kind of still in the hunt for it, but I think it’s going a little bit better.
—Xander Schauffele, PGA TOUR player
Mental toughness has also become part of the battle, particularly when using clubs he once favored but now approaches with hesitation due to lost confidence. The shift in mindset contributes to the on-course challenges he faces.
When it feels like it’s your weapon and then you’re sort of intimidated by a club that you used to love, you have to try and mentally get over that,
Schauffele explained.
Strong Yet Struggling: Schauffele’s Season Highlights and Setbacks
Although 2024 has not lived up to his personal expectations, Schauffele has still produced notable results. He tied for eighth at the Masters and placed seventh to eighth at both the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open Championship. However, he rarely posed a serious threat to win in these events, which contrasts with the prominence he held in the world rankings less than a year ago.
At 31, a time many consider the prime of a golfer’s career, Schauffele’s struggles are disappointing, especially given his potential to contend with the world’s best, including Scottie Scheffler. His current form categorizes as solid for an average TOUR player but falls short for someone of his caliber.
Approach to Playoffs: Freedom Amid Pressure
Despite the pressure of securing a playoff spot, Schauffele finds a way to view this period with some optimism. His previous success guarantees him entry into Signature Events and long-term status on TOUR, meaning this week’s BMW Championship is an opportunity without dire career consequences.
I’m trying to sort of get that freedom as well because I have absolutely nothing to lose,
he said.
This mindset may afford Schauffele the ability to play more freely, giving him a chance to rediscover his form and potentially push for a FedExCup title, though the path forward is narrow.
Context Amid the Playoffs and Competitors
As Schauffele focuses on overcoming his current challenges, other key golfers like Scottie Scheffler are also making headlines in the playoff conversation. For instance, Scheffler recently expressed gratitude to Kirk for lending a caddie during the BMW Championship, highlighting the competitive camaraderie during this pivotal phase of the season.
Meanwhile, decisions related to Ryder Cup leadership continue to stir speculation, with Bradley remaining undecided about his potential role as a playing captain. These narratives add layers of intrigue to the unfolding playoffs, where every player’s journey, including Schauffele’s, carries significant weight.
Implications for the TOUR Championship and Beyond
Xander Schauffele’s fight to reach the TOUR Championship epitomizes the unpredictability of golf and the narrow margins that separate success from disappointment. Missing East Lake would mark an unprecedented moment in his career and deprive the event of one of its strongest competitors. However, should he overcome the challenge, it would signal a compelling comeback story from adversity.
As the playoffs proceed, Schauffele’s performance at Caves Valley may hold the key to his season’s legacy, shaping not only his immediate future but also how his prime years are remembered. Regardless of the outcome, his journey this season underscores the complexities athletes face when battling injuries, form, and mental hurdles under intense pressure.