Player of the Year! Even two majors in two months won’t be enough to help Xander Schauffele claim that title? The reason? Well, it’s all thanks to none other than Scottie Scheffler, the current No. 1 golfer in the world. But there was a chance for him to stand on par with his fellow American in the number of top-10 finishes he carded. However, even that dream seems to be drifting away, courtesy of an unfortunate tree root.

It was the par-4 ninth hole at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club when Lady Luck left him. The 30-year-old’s tee shot went ahead to wedge itself against a tree root, causing him to try and get it out and into play using his club. “Already, the damage is done, but you can’t keep hitting it there,” said Caddie Austin Kaiser after seeing his golfer unsuccessful in his mission to dislodge the ball. The result? A helpless laugh followed by Schauffele taking an unplayable.

Quite an unfortunate moment in the golfer’s first round of play at the 2024 Zozo Championship. Although he was even par till the 8th hole, the next one caused him to cardie a quadruple-bogey 8. If he doesn’t manage to make up for that in the coming holes, or even rounds, then there is a high chance of him placing outside the top 10. But the bad news for the athlete just turned out to be hilarious in front of fans. And they didn’t waste a second before expressing themselves on the internet.

Xander Schauffele’s misfortune amuses the golf community

Schauffele joined hands with Austin Kaiser around nine years back. The looper was the golfer’s former college teammate at San Diego State University. As a result of them being former teammates followed by the two playing the sport alongside each other, they have always shared a close friendship. Coupling that with Kaiser’s knowledge about the sport, owing to his playing the sport and being a collegiate golfer, helped him advise the world No. 2 on the recent hole.

The fans, meanwhile, were impressed by the looper’s presence of mind. They took to point it out all the while highlighting the amusing situation that the professional was in. “Love how Xander can laugh at this. if it weren’t for his caddy he’d probably still be swinging ha we’ve all been there,” commented a follower. Others also took to agree as they comically responded, “@austin_kaiser could go down as caddy of the year for that call. Wouldn’t let him keep Tin Cupping that shot,” and “You can tell they have such a good relationship, the way they just laugh that off. ‘But you can’t keep hitting it right there'”

A total of 15 top-10 finishes, not to mention two victories, that too at majors. What’s more, he managed to shoot past the likes of Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy to clinch the second spot on the OWGR while raking in a total of $18,355,910 in dollar bills. When it comes to the top 25 finishes, the golfer has managed the feat a total of 20 times out of the 21 starts he made.

Maybe it was these stats that caused Xander Schauffele’s admirers to not falter in their faith in the golfer, for a person reacted, “Love Xander. he’s awesome.” Even Michael Kim, a fellow PGA Tour Pro, came forward to comment how he would, “Prob still finish top 20 after this lol.” 

Even so, he wouldn’t be able to beat Scheffler’s stats of 16 top-10 finishes unless he brings his A-game to the course for the remaining three days. But will he be able to do it? His fans can only hope he does!