Xander Schauffele’s recent success in major golf tournaments has posed a new challenge for his rivals, including Rory McIlroy and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Schauffele’s victory at The Open Championship, following his win at the US PGA Championship just two months prior, has brought him halfway to achieving golf’s grand slam.
At 30 years old, Schauffele’s outstanding performances in this year’s majors—including top-10 finishes at the Masters and the US Open—underscore his relentless pursuit of excellence. While his rise to becoming a serial major winner is thrilling for the sport, it creates a significant challenge for top players like Scheffler and McIlroy. Scheffler, who has won the Masters twice, and McIlroy, who has not won a major in ten years after missing the cut at Troon, now face a formidable competitor.
Schauffele remains driven, declaring, “The fire is still burning, maybe brighter than ever before.” He emphasized the importance of self-belief: “Before I had any majors, it’s something I’ve always wanted. I’m one step closer and still have a long way to go. But if you don’t see yourself doing it, you’re never going to do it.”
He acknowledged that there are still many goals he wants to achieve in his career, and his recent victories represent significant progress towards those goals. “Everyone in my family knows how competitive I am,” he added.
While Schauffele might not have the same high profile as Scheffler or McIlroy, his focus and determination are unmatched in the sport right now. He explained, “I may not be the guy running around fist-pumping, but that’s just who I am. I kind of know how I need to be to perform at a high level.”
He avoids both extreme anger and excessive celebration to maintain his performance. “If I’m sitting there snapping a club, that would be the same as me running around fist-pumping. It would take too long for me to adjust before my next shot to hit a good one.”
Embracing his laid-back Southern California demeanor, Schauffele noted, “There’s obviously a fire burning deep within, or you wouldn’t have a couple majors sitting by your side.”