Xander Schauffele didn’t know about PGA rule and received brutal text off coach

Xander Schauffele’s landmark victory at the PGA Championship was quickly followed by a humbling lesson, illustrating that even champions have room to grow.

The Californian golfer secured his first major title at Valhalla Golf Club, narrowly defeating Bryson DeChambeau by one stroke under intense pressure. Schauffele shared his experiences on the Pardon My Take podcast, where he revealed that despite his triumph, he was still learning on the job.

Schauffele recounted the tense moments approaching the 18th hole, knowing that a playoff against the big-hitting DeChambeau loomed if he faltered. However, it was a revelation to him that the playoff format was an aggregate of three holes, not a single sudden-death hole. “One hundred percent. Absolutely,” Schauffele responded when asked if he was thinking about the playoff. “I didn’t even know, but the playoff is actually an aggregate. It’s three holes.”

Fortunately, Schauffele managed to birdie the final hole, mirroring DeChambeau’s performance and maintaining his lead to clinch the championship. He acknowledged that had he missed that critical putt, the momentum would have shifted in DeChambeau’s favor, leading to a playoff where he felt disadvantaged.

Reflecting on his decisive putt, Schauffele described the pressure and his mental approach. “I was like, ‘Screw it, I need to commit to this,'” he said. To avoid overthinking, he decided not to spend too much time analyzing the putt. Despite his nerves, he hit it straight. However, his putting coach swiftly brought him back to reality with a candid text, stating, “You pulled it.” Schauffele admitted, “I’ve watched that putt like six times, and it looks like it’s gonna miss every time [laughs].”

This candid exchange highlighted the relentless pursuit of perfection in professional golf, even in moments of victory. Schauffele’s journey underscores that learning and improvement are continuous, even for those at the pinnacle of their sport.