2024 The American Express: Top 10 power rankings in Palm Springs

Xander Schauffele is at The American Express for the fourth time in his career but only the second time since 2017.

After back-to-back missed cuts early in his career, Schauffele made a fairly triumphant return last year.

The San Diego State alum and La Jolla, California, native fired 25-under to finish T-3rd and just two shots off the pace.

Schauffele opened with 7-under-par 65 at La Quinta, 4-under 68 at Nicklaus, and 4-under 68 at Stadium to sit in 16th entering the final round.

He was the big mover on Sunday, climbing up 13 spots thanks to a final round 62.

Schauffele was T-7th for the week in scrambling (83.33%). He was second in the field with four eagles.

He did this all while recovering from a back injury that forced him to withdraw from Kapalua just two weeks prior.

The 30-year-old has had a remarkably consistent career. He won at least one event every year from 2017 to 2022.

Schauffele was unable to extend that streak last year, though his Official World Golf Ranking page still lists a win since he tied for the low gross score at the Tour Championship, which uses a staggered start net leaderboard.

He was still a top-10 machine in 2023, collecting nine top-10s. Schauffele is already working on that tally in 2024 with a T-10th a couple weeks ago at The Sentry.

Schauffele was third on the PGA Tour last season in Strokes Gained: Total (1.869). Getting anywhere even close to gaining two strokes per round is elite.

While he would have liked to improve on his 90th ranking in SG: Around-the-Green (.056), Schauffele really has no glaring weaknesses. Especially when you look at the putters of contemporaries like Scottie Scheffler or Will Zalatoris.

Schauffele has yet to win in his home state. This week provides a golden opportunity.