2022 Waste Management Phoenix Open: Top 10 power rankings

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Feb 5, 2021; Scottsdale, Arizona, USA; Xander Schauffele reacts after making his birdie putt on the 18th hole during round two of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NetworkPga Wm Phoenix Open Round Two /

Xander Schauffele’s resume at the Waste Management Phoenix Open has it all besides a victory.

He came closest last year when he fired 66-64-65-71 to come up one short of champion Brooks Koepka. Schauffele was the 54-hole leader but couldn’t hold off Koepka’s surge, which featured a surprise eagle on the 71st hole.

The X Man was second in the field in strokes gained off the tee (4.948) and second in SG putting (6.404). He also has the length to gain an advantage at this event and was fourth in driving distance (331).

This was his fourth straight top-20 at the WMPO. He debuted with T-17th (68-67-66-72) in 2018, T-10th (67-72-67-68) in 2019 and T-16th (67-67-66-74) in 2020.

Schauffele is coming into the week off of a T-18th finish at the Asian Tour’s Saudi International. It was his seventh straight made cut going back to the summer.

In 2022, he also was solo 12th at the Sentry Tournament of Champions and T-34th at the Farmers Insurance Open.

Schauffele’s not exactly lighting the world on fire right now, but there’s nothing to be too alarmed over, either.

The former San Diego State Aztec ranked fifth on the PGA Tour last season in SG total (1.484) and was positive in all categories. Schauffele was 12th in birdie average (4.28) and third in par-5 scoring (4.46).

Getting his first worldwide win in over two years last summer at the Olympics had to do wonders for his psyche. Now it’s time to end the PGA Tour drought by contending for his fifth career title.

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