2021 Sentry Tournament of Champions: Top 10 power rankings at Kapalua
It’s been a tale of two Sundays for Xander Schauffele at Kapalua in recent years.
In 2019, Schauffele set the course record with an 11-under 62 to storm to a comeback win. In 2020, Schauffele led by one at 11-under beginning the day and matched the lowest 54-hole score at the Tournament of Champions since Vijay Singh in 2007. A closing 70 wasn’t all that shameful, but a par on the relatively easy par-5 closing hole made him settle for a playoff won by Justin Thomas against Patrick Reed and Schauffele.
Nonetheless, Schauffele has a very impressive resume at the Tournament of Champions. Eleven of 12 rounds are under par with the exception a 1-over 74.
His debut in 2018 resulted in a T-22nd.
The former San Diego State Aztec ranked eighth last season on the PGA Tour in strokes gained off the tee (.648). He led the ToC field last year (1.15).
This is Schauffele’s first event since the Masters in November where he earned T-17th to extend his top-25 streak to 12. The X Man is as consistent as anybody on Tour but he’s had trouble finding the winner’s circle.
The 2019 Tournament of Champions is the last of four career PGA Tour wins for the 26 year old. Schauffele did have the low gross score at the Tour Championship but could not catch Dustin Johnson on the net leaderboard.
It’s surprising Schauffele’s gone that long without a trophy, but that drought is bound to end soon.