Xander Schauffele Father Stefan Celebrated His Son Victory in a Container

After sinking his final putt and raising his arms in triumph, Xander Schauffele embraced his wife, signed his scorecard, and posed for countless photos. Amid the celebration of winning his first major championship, Schauffele took a moment to make an important call—to his dad.

Stefan Schauffele has been a constant presence throughout Xander’s career, known for his distinctive style and role as Xander’s swing coach. However, Stefan has been less visible lately and wasn’t present at the tournament. Xander acknowledged both his parents, Stefan and Ping Yi, during his winner’s interview. When Xander called, Stefan was in tears, and Xander, typically composed, also began to cry.

“I told him I had to hang up,” Xander later recounted, needing to compose himself before his next interview.

Earlier that day, Xander’s chances of winning were uncertain. He started the final round tied for the lead and played exceptionally well on the front nine. However, a bogey on the 10th hole shifted the momentum. Stefan, who had not been watching initially, made his way to a TV on the back nine.

Stefan was in Hawaii, living in a shipping container on a hillside while overseeing the construction of a self-sustaining family compound. The compound, meant for healing and rejuvenation, is a significant project requiring much of his attention. Despite not watching the early rounds, Stefan joined friends at a local rental to watch the final round.

Reflecting on his absence, Stefan wasn’t troubled. He appreciated the moments he would share with Xander later. He viewed Xander’s major win as an expected step in their long-term plan, affirming their belief in his inevitable success.

When Xander sank his final putt, Stefan’s emotions overflowed. He described crying tears of joy, overwhelmed by the moment.

Stefan’s physical distance mirrored recent changes in their relationship. Xander has begun working with swing coach Chris Como, supplementing Stefan’s guidance. Stefan acknowledged Como’s contribution, noting that a small adjustment by Como provided clarity and control that he and Xander had struggled to find.

The victory was also a testament to Xander’s character. Known for his stoic demeanor, Stefan hoped the win would help reveal Xander’s true personality—funny, forthright, and well-liked by his peers. Xander’s authenticity and resilience, both on and off the course, were evident in his handling of previous disappointments and his consistent performance in major tournaments.

Stefan dismissed speculation about Xander joining LIV Golf, emphasizing Xander’s focus on legacy over money. He reiterated their commitment to the PGA Tour and Xander’s aspiration for a Hall of Fame career, including goals like a career grand slam and achieving world No. 1 status.

As Xander celebrated his victory, he recognized the journey ahead, comparing it to climbing a mountain with Scottie Scheffler at the peak. Stefan shared in the celebration, albeit from afar, confident in Xander’s future successes and the joy this win brought to their family.

Reflecting on their journey, Xander and Stefan embraced their motto, “Steter Tropfen höhlt den Stein” — “Constant dripping wears away the stone.” The win marked the culmination of their efforts and the beginning of a promising future.