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Xander Schauffele: 2021 FedEx Cup Contender or Pretender?

By Tim Letcher

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 17: Xander Schauffele of the United States plays his shot from the 13th tee during the third round of The CJ Cup @ Shadow Creek on October 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 17: Xander Schauffele of the United States plays his shot from the 13th tee during the third round of The CJ Cup @ Shadow Creek on October 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Xander Schauffele seems to always be in the hunt any time he tees it up. He will eventually win a FedEx Cup. Can that happen this season?

With the 2020 portion of the PGA Tour schedule in the books, we at Pro Golf Now will be taking a look at the current top 50, and some selected others, in the current FedEx Cup standings and whether they are contenders or pretenders for the 2021 FedEx Cup. Our latest subject is the current No. 13, Xander Schauffele.

Best career FedEx Cup finish: Schauffele has been a fixture at East Lake and the Tour Championship since his first year on tour in 2017. That year, he finished third in the final FedEx Cup standings. He would finish 15th the following year. In 2019, and again in 2020, Schauffele finished second in the FedEx Cup standings.

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So far this season: Schauffele has played just four times so far this season, but he has been able to get the most out of his limited attempts.

His first start of the season came at the U.S. Open. Schauffele shot 68 in the opening round and followed that with a 72 on Friday. He was even par and within striking distance after 36 holes. He shot 70 on Saturday to stay close. However, a 74 on Sunday dropped him into a solo fifth-place finish.

After a few weeks off, Schauffele next played at the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek. He opened with a 66 and was just one shot behind Tyrrell Hatton after one round. In round two, Schauffele caught fire, shooting a 29 on his first nine on his way to a 64 and a three-shot lead.

However, he shot 74 on Saturday to give the lead up. And his 66 on Sunday was not enough as Jason Kokrak won his first PGA Tour title, leaving Schauffele in solo second.

The following week at the Zozo Championship, Schauffele started with a 69 at Sherwood Country Club. He shot 72 on Friday, then 67 on Saturday. His 65 on Sunday allowed him to rally into a tie for 17th place

Schauffele’s final start of the 2020 calendar year came at the Masters.

He opened in fine fashion, shooting a 67 on day one. But on Friday, he slipped to a 73 and was 4-under par heading to the weekend.

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He never really got anything going on Saturday or Sunday. Schauffele shot 71 on Saturday and 70 on Sunday. Both respectable rounds, but not enough to make a major move. Schauffele would end up tied for 17th at Augusta National.

The verdict: Schauffele will win the FedEx Cup one day. It could certainly be this year. He’s a big-time contender for the 2021 FedEx Cup.

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