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Xander Schauffele Starts Fast, Ends Slow in Return to Japan

By Christian Paszko

INZAI, JAPAN - OCTOBER 21: Xander Schauffele of the United States hits his tee shot on the 15th hole during the first round of the ZOZO Championship at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club on October 21, 2021 in Inzai, Chiba, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)
INZAI, JAPAN - OCTOBER 21: Xander Schauffele of the United States hits his tee shot on the 15th hole during the first round of the ZOZO Championship at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club on October 21, 2021 in Inzai, Chiba, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) /
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Japan is a very special place for Xander Schauffele so it’s not surprising that he’s gone back as soon as the PGA Tour went back. The occasion, this time, is the ZOZO Championship.

Schauffele got off to a very hot start, going three under in his first five holes. After that though, four bogies to just one birdie the rest of the way in.

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Schauffele immediately went to try and improve. “It’s going to have to be something. I can’t expect to win hitting the way I did the last 12 holes, so I’ll have to go and find something on the range.” Which is exactly the work ethic we’ve come to expect from him.

The ZOZO Championship is Schauffele’s first trip back to Japan since dramatically winning the Olympic gold medal at Kasumigaseki back in August, finally winning a big event.

Xander reflected on his experience after the Olympics stating, ” I was able to see my grandparents right before I left, so I was able to show them the gold medal. It’s really cool to impress an 85-year old who’s been on this planet and seen so many things.”

He would continue, “For them to get goosebumps holding the gold medal was really special for me. It was a real treat right before I left the county.” His grandparents, of course, living in Japan.

Schuaffele would also mention how his father, who had Olympic aspirations before a car accident ended his dream, had had more time with his medal than he did. “That night, he slept with the gold medal. I didn’t even have it with me.”  Which sounds about right with what we know about the Schauffele’s.

Entering play this week, Schauffele had shot eight straight rounds in the 60s. That was broken by his first round 70 in Chiba. “I was three under early and finishing even par is not to fun,” he said, “but didn’t shoot myself out of it. Got some work to do coming in. Schauffele is currently T29 and even par, seven shot behind leader Hiroshi Iwata.

Next. 2021 CJ Cup: Winners and Losers from Las Vegas. dark

Whether or not Xander finishes well this week is kind of irrelevant. After watching him finally close out a big event, one that he might not ever get another chance to play in, was satisfying for many golf fans.

Schauffele had been on the cusp of greatness at majors, there’s no doubt that taking gold was, and still is, a huge confidence booster. It would not shock me at all if by July, Xander Schauffele is a major champion.

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