2022 ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP: Top 10 Power Rankings at Narashino CC
The ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP is an event Xander Schauffele will likely have on his schedule for years to come.
“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to return to Japan and compete in the Zozo Championship,” Schauffele was quoted by the PGA Tour in 2021. “Everybody knows of the close affinity that my family and I have with Japan due to our heritage and the fact that my grandparents live over there. Also, winning the Olympic Games gold medal in Tokyo in July has only reinforced my love for Japan and I look forward to coming back and challenging for the title at Narashino.”
He hasn’t been able to hoist the trophy at an event that means a little more to him, but Schauffele’s still put together solid rounds at Narashino Country Club.
The Californian debuted in 2019 with 68-66-65-72 to finish T-10th. He tied for second in birdies made (20) but made a few too many mistakes to contend with Tiger Woods, et. al.
In the tournament’s return to Japan, Schauffele posted 70-74-68-68 to move up on the weekend to T-28th. His 14 birdies ranked T-15th in the field.
The last time we saw the X Man was at the Presidents Cup. He had a 3-1-0 record playing exclusively with tried and true partner, Patrick Cantlay, in team play. They smoked Hideki Matsuyama/Adam Scott 6&5 in Thursday foursomes and Matsuyama/Tom Kim 3&2 in Friday four-ball. It took a valiant effort from Si Woo Kim/T. Kim in Saturday four-ball to down Cantlay/Schauffele 1UP.
Schauffele bounced back to hand Corey Conners a 1UP defeat in Sunday singles.
The former San Diego State Aztec had a successful 2022 with a team win with Cantlay at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and back-to-back solo victories at the Travelers Championship and Genesis Scottish Open. It was back-to-back-to-back if you count his 36-hole hit-and-giggle win at the J.P. McManus Pro-Am.
He finished in the top 15 in three majors and finished fourth in the FedEx Cup.
Schauffele ranked seventh on the PGA Tour in strokes gained approach per round (.701) and was top-40 in every SG category.
He was fifth in scoring average (69.462) and ninth in birdies per round (4.32).