Schauffele Eyes Third Major at Masters After Injury Comeback

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Xander Schauffele is optimistic about claiming his third major championship in four tries as he heads into the 2025 Masters Tournament. After missing nearly two months this season due to a rib injury, Schauffele made his return just five weeks ago at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Despite an impressive streak of 60 cuts made in a row, Schauffele has not yet cracked the top 10 in three consecutive events since his return and currently sits at No. 3 in the world rankings, trailing behind Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.

Frustrated with his ball-striking performance, Schauffele committed to intensifying his practice regimen ahead of the prestigious tournament. “I’m going to blow my ball count out of the water,” he stated, hinting at an increased focus on practice. His latest outing at the Valspar Championship saw him leading the field in approach play and achieving career-best strokes-gained statistics.

To adapt to his game’s needs, Schauffele also returned to his older driver model after struggling to test new clubs adequately. “Just knowing that I want to get to a good place, maybe I freed myself up that week,” he reflected on his recent performance. “It turned into a really good week.”

His team has advised him to pace himself during his recovery, aware of his tendency to push himself too hard. All medical scans have come back clear, and Schauffele reported no physical setbacks. “I haven’t thought about my rib or anything of that nature,” he noted, expressing relief at his current condition.

As he approaches the Masters, Schauffele recognizes the importance of execution in his performance. While he may not be at the form that secured him his initial major victories last summer, he has detected enough positive indicators during practice to fuel his optimism. “I think I know what I’m capable of when I’m feeling good,” he said. “It’s been a process to get back to that.”

When asked about his chances of winning at Augusta, Schauffele responded confidently, “Absolutely, yeah.” With an infectious optimism and a recent uptick in performance, he is ready to take on the challenge of this prestigious tournament.