Remember those days when your parents had to keep an eye on you 24/7, worried you’d climb the tallest tree or dive headfirst into the deepest pool? Yeah, we’ve all been there. And Xander Schauffele’s mom definitely knows the feeling. From scaling light poles to swinging from monkey bars, Xander was always up to something. His boundless energy and adventurous spirit kept his mom on her toes. Well, his mom could write a book about his childhood antics!

Thanks to the PGA Tour Pro, we recently got a glimpse into the childhood days of World No. 2. In a clip shared on its X handle, Schauffele and his mother spilled all the tea on the 31-year-old’s mischievous adventures. While we all can resonate highly with Schauffele, his younger days were no different from anyone else’s. “I was mischievous. You know, I was up to no good,” said the PGA Tour pro. On the other hand, his older brother, Nico, who is three years his senior, was much quieter and more into books.

Well, isn’t that the tale of every household? But being the younger sibling only helped Schauffele to be ‘smarter’ to learn from, Nico. Yes, Schauffele was a smarter kid, but at the same time, he was even more prankish. His mother, Ping Yi, summed it up well, saying, “Oh my God, he was like monkey. He loved climbing up. Like, every time when you go pick him up in the school, he was always in the monkey bar.”

Indeed, a tickle in the nose. But wait, there is more to it. Recounting his childhood antics, the golfer admitted,  “I did stupid stuff.” One of his favorite tricks? Climbing random light poles to hide out. He’d scramble up about 15 feet and think, “No one’s going to look up there!” From his lofty perch, he’d watch his friends search for him, waiting for their reactions. “I was kind of a pest, to be honest,” he admitted.

Though Schauffele was a big prankster and often gave trouble for his parents, one thing can’t be denied— his love for his family. “From a young age, I remember it being very family-oriented,” said Schauffele. And indeed, it’s also one of the reasons why he has always turned up at the Zozo Championship every Year.

Xander Schauffele’s attachment to its roots

Xander Schauffele made his professional debut in Japan at the 2018 Mizuno Open, held in Yamanashi. Though he couldn’t clinch the victory, the event remained a memorable one for him. Fast forward to 2020, his connection to Japan deepened when he won the gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. “As I got older, you know, my first pro event was in Japan. So, I guess my love for Japan has grown,” said Schauffele. While his connection to Japan is indeed special, there is more to his story.

The two-time major winner’s mother was born in Chinese Taipei but grew up in Japan, where her roots run deep. In an article for The Strait Times, he wrote, “My mom was born in Chinese Taipei and grew up in Japan. Hence, we have family in both Chinese Taipei and Japan.” Currently, his grandparents and uncles from his mother’s side reside near Tokyo.

Well, his fondness for the island nation is quite understandable, and we see why the victory in the Zozo Championship matters to him so much. What do you think will he claim the Zozo Championship title this year? Let us know in the comments!