Why Xander Schauffele’s Approach Might Turn Nightmare at the 2024 PGA Championship?

The golfer is currently at the top spot of the scoreboard at the PGA Championship. Xander Schauffele has been keeping that place for the past three days, and it’s all thanks to the amazing gameplay he was able to dish out on the greens. Now, just a single round is left and tensions are visibly arising in the community. The professional himself seems to be all ready, with a plan in mind. However, there’s a chance it might not turn out the way he wants it to be.

The American professional was spotted in an interview post-the third round of play at Valhalla Golf Course, during which Schauffele was queried on his approach for the final day. The golfer then revealed how he would be following the same old strategy he has followed for the other events till now, all the while inadvertently painting a concerning picture!

Xander Schauffele and his worrisome plan

The pro is well in sight for a victory. A total of 18 birdies and a bogey over the past three days have put him well in contention to lift the Wanamaker trophy if everything goes according to his plans. “Just like any other tournament for the most part,” replied Xander Schauffele while alluding to his plans before adding, “It’s another Sunday. I typically love Sundays. I think I need to really just stay in my lane and do a lot of what I’ve been doing and just worry about myself.”

Out of the 11 starts he made in 2024, the professional has raked in a total of 8 top-10 finishes with his best coming off at the PLAYERS Championship and the Wells Fargo Championship, both of which he placed T2. If he were to, thus, follow the same strategy he did, then the athlete would very well be setting himself up for disappointment on Sunday.

At the Wells Fargo Championship, Schauffele had been leading the field with figures of 66-69-64 before Rory McIlroy shot past him to clinch the title. That’s not all. The same case happened with the PLAYERS Championship as well, when Scottie Scheffler clinched the victory from right under his nose while sporting a back injury. It also happened at the Genesis Invitational when he was tailing Patrick Cantlay at T2 after Saturday but instead finished T4 by the end of the event.

Although Xander Schauffele has been faced with constant disappointment, it’s not as if he hasn’t gained anything out of it. He jumped in rankings on the OWGR as well as the career earning list, owing to his scintillating finishes this season.

A win amidst disappointment for Schauffele

Schauffele was No. 6 on the Official World Golf Ranking when he teed off at the Sentry. Come the 2024 PGA Championship, he is now 3rd on the rankings with the total 113.70514 points he raked with the finishes. As a result, he was able to shoot past the likes of Jon Rahm as well as Viktor Hovland who were 3rd and 4th, respectively, back then.

He was also able to rake in a lot of money, allowing him to climb the ranks when it came to career earnings. As of now, he has garnered a total of $46,598,394, thereby occupying 21st place on the list. One thing is for sure, Schauffele can jump upwards in both these lists if he manages to emerge victorious in the major and the fans would be hoping for the same.