2023 Genesis Invitational: Top 10 Power Rankings at Riviera
Xander Schauffele’s yet to have a chance to win late on Sunday at the Genesis Invitational, but his account and caddie sure like when he comes here.
The La Jolla, California, native is 5-for-5 making the cut when heading north to Pacific Palisades, and has never fared worse than T-23rd (72-70-69-69) in 2020.
However, his peak is only T-9th (71-70-68-66) in 2018. He followed with T-15th (74-68-67-69) in 2019, T-15th (71-69-71-69) in 2021, and T-13th (69-70-66-70) last year.
"“Yeah, the course is so interesting. It’s one of those places where the more you play it, the more comfortable you get,” Schauffele was transcribed by Tee Scripts in 2021. “… I think patience is big out here. The greens are pure, you’ve just got to hit it in the right spots, leave yourself below the hole and that will give you the best chance to win.”"
His past form at RIviera resembles his play in 2023. Lots of money earned without a trophy to show for it.
I’ll cut him slack considering he maybe hasn’t been at 100% health. Schauffele had to withdraw from the Sentry Tournament of Champions due to a back injury. Given that’s a guaranteed money event, you’d think he had to legitimately not feel well to back out (no pun intended).
Schauffele didn’t need much time to recover, returning a couple weeks later at The American Express where he took T-3rd.
The X Man’s followed it up with T-13th at his hometown Farmers Insurance Open and T-10th last week at the WM Phoenix Open.
Schauffele is third on the PGA Tour this season in total strokes gained per round (2.442). He’s fifth in SG tee to green (1.939) and fourth on approach (1.092).
He’s also 14th in bogey avoidance (10.78%), seventh in par-4 scoring (3.89), and seventh in approach proximity from 150-175 yards (22’8”).
He continues to be one of the world’s most well-rounded players. The 29-year-old has no glaring weaknesses and rarely produces a clunker of a round.
Schauffele would just like to find the winner’s circle a bit more. The last time doing so was in back-to-back events over three weeks last summer at the Travelers Championship and Genesis Scottish Open.