PGA Tour News: Xander Schauffele Exits WM Phoenix Open After Viktor Hovland Shocker

Destructive weather saw the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am end after just 54 holes, with Wyndham Clark nabbing his third PGA Tour win. Now, fans eagerly await this year’s edition of the Waste Management Phoenix Open slated to take place at Arizona’s TPC Scottsdale. However, with only three days left for the event to go underway, Xander Schauffele has abruptly confirmed his withdrawal.

Schauffele’s exit comes mere hours after Viktor Hovland announced his decision to not appear at the tournament. Both golfers had participated in the rain-hit Pebble Beach event, wherein they had a forgettable run. The motive behind their unexpected exit remains undisclosed.

Schauffele is also among the big names who have often been entangled in LIV Golf rumors. The buzz surrounding him gained further momentum after Jon Rahm opened the floodgates for more players to join the Saudi-backed league with his $566 million switch.

Is a move to LIV Golf on the cards for Xander Schauffele?

While several of his compatriots have strongly refuted defection speculations, Schauffele has been on the fence on the controversial subject. Speaking to the Fore Play podcast last month, the World No. 5 player said, “I am not going to pledge to the Tour, and there are only a handful of guys who have done this, but I am not going to pledge ‘I am going to play [PGA Tour] forever’ and I am not saying I am gonna go there.”

The 30-year-old has also been a vocal critic of the PGA Tour leadership in the past. Following the merger announcement last year, Schauffele blasted Jay Monahan, even going ahead and calling for his ousting. His latest move will undoubtedly raise many eyebrows in the golf world.

The WM Phoenix Open may also significantly suffer in the aftermath of the high-profile exits. After all, the event will coincide with both the Super Bowl and LIV Golf’s Las Vegas fixture this year. Earlier today, former PGA Tour pro Henrik Bjornstad offered plausible reasoning behind Viktor Hovland’s exit, saying, “He was frustrated throughout the previous tournament.” Meanwhile, per golf commentator Maurius Thorp, the Norwegian is taking some time off to get back into the groove.

Watch This Story: Viktor Hovland Leaves the Mighty Tiger Woods Biting the Dust After Towering Over His Heralded Legacy 

The 89th edition of the WM Phoenix Open will be held from February 8th to the 11th. French golfer Victor Perez will be replacing Hovland in Arizona this week. Meanwhile, Alexander Bjork has earned a spot in the tournament after Schauffele’s departure. 2023 Zurich Classic winner Davis Riley has also withdrawn from the event, making way for New Zealand’s Ryan Fox.

Also Read: ‘I Chose Legacy Over LIV’: Wyndham Clark Shatters Rumors, Joins Viktor Hovland to Boldly Reject Futureless Move