Xander Schauffele is looking to make his prime years count, and so is Joaquin Niemann. Last year, Schauffele had hit the form of his life, vaulting himself into World No.2 with a slew of incredible performances in the 2024 season, which included two majors. Whereas, Niemann has taken the LIV Golf by storm, winning two of the five events so far this year in Adelaide and Singapore. He currently leads the individual points list over bigger names like Brooks Koepka (10th on standings) and Jon Rahm (3rd on the list). So, praise is surely due for the Chilean golfer.

“Yeah, Joaquín is unbelievable. He’s been winning at a pretty decent clip on the LIV Tour. Joaquín knows he’s been winning a lot more events than I have, but you’re always a lot closer than you think is what I tell anyone that’s been close. It’s hard to wrap your head around. It’s never anything that’s that fancy and you’re always a lot closer than you think you are,” the World No.3 stated at the pre-Masters conference.

Niemann looks up to Schauffele as a ‘talented’ someone who won a major late in his career compared to the young prodigies. Schauffele had only won his first major in 2024 after he turned 30. Till then he was perilously close on several occasions registering eleven top 10 finishes in his twenty-six Major appearances but never getting over the hump to clinch the title. The San Diego State alum, however, had a breakout year in 2024, where he won two majors while also registering a top-ten finish at the other two.

This is not the first time Schauffele has spoken highly of Niemann. Last year too, when the LIV golfer got his special invite to ANGC, Schauffele thought it was “very well deserved.” Calling Masters a global tournament, he was excited to see the top Chilean golfer out there competing. In 2024, Niemann finished 22nd with an overall score of 4-over. It will be interesting to see how it turns out this year. His expected to be one of the golfers in contention.

Despite a legendary season last year, Schauffele could not capitalize on the momentum it provided. He had an injury last year that kept nagging him at the beginning of this year. After the Sentry in January, Schauffele decided to treat the issue. As a result, he missed quite a lot in 2025 because of his rib injury, but he is now back on the competitive scene, and it hasn’t been too great.

Xander Schauffele’s long road back from injury

That was a new phase for Schauffele, who had been almost always available with no injury bothering him.“I’ve never really dealt with injury before, so I’ve never really been sidelined. I’m trying to find all the positives to attach to the situation, and me not being hurt before and sitting at home thinking all these thoughts, watching everyone else play golf and sort of fly by me, it’s been very motivating. Just trying to use that to perform at a higher level.” The World No.3 added.

Schauffele was in good form prior to the intercostal strain and cartilage tear in his rib cage and despite returning within a period of two months, the American golfer looked far from his best. He finished T40 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a score of 4 over par, before a disappointing performance at the PLAYERS Championship that saw him finish 72nd. He did finish T12 at the Valspar Championship, but that was against a weaker field missing several big names.

During his hiatus, the 2x major winner also dropped from World No.2 to World No.3, owing partially to the success of Rory McIlroy as well. The general consistency Schauffele has displayed in his game is missing. Shades of that were seen in the Valspar event, but Schauffele will need to tap into what made him reach another level last year, if he aims to make an impact at the Masters this year. Especially considering he is up against several in-form players as well.

Despite not being in very great form, Schauffele remains one of the favorite names to take the Green Jacket this year. Schauffele’s advice would be something that the Chilean golfer keeps close to his heart as he looks to clinch his first-ever major title.