2023 Zozo Championship: Top 10 power rankings at Narashino CC

Xander Schauffele is probably ready to make some headlines away from the Ryder Cup at this point.

While he occasionally flashed decent form at Marco Simone, the week was an abject failure for the Americans, whether on or off the golf course.

Schauffele, and particularly his dad, Stefan, have been malcontents in the media regarding various grievances. He, Patrick Cantlay and others chiming in to be paid for their efforts at the Ryder Cup do have merits in their arguments.

However, the way they’ve gone about their business has rubbed many a golf fan the wrong way.

Schauffele will likely be ready to turn the page. He’s yet to win in 2023 and is running out of chances.

It’d mean a lot for him to end the drought in a country that means a lot to him and his mother’s side of the family.

“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’s played well in three appearances at the Zozo Championship and Narashino CC. Schauffele took T-10th (68-66-65-72) in 2019, T-28th (70-74-68-68) in 2021, and T-9th (67-69-69-65) in 2022.

Schauffele has been his usually consistent self in 2023. He logged six top-10s and is on a PGA Tour-leading made cut streak of 33.

The former San Diego State Aztec ranked third last season in Strokes Gained: Total (1.869 per round). He was in the positive in every SG category, including third in SG: Approach-the-Green (.88) and fourth in SG: Putting (.667).

Schauffele isn’t crazy long, but he controls his golf ball well and is sharp in all facets to be able to go low at Narashino.