It's not often that the third-ranked player in the world is somewhat of an afterthought leading into a major championship, especially when that same player won two majors just a season ago. But that's essentially where we're at with Xander Schauffele as we prepare for the 125th edition of the U.S. Open.
Now, to be fair, the first two majors of the year were won by the two guys currently sitting ahead of him in the Official World Golf Ranking, with second-ranked Rory McIlroy completing the career Grand Slam with a victory at The Masters and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler capturing his first major not contested at Augusta National with a dominant win at the PGA Championship.
Throw in the fact that Bryson DeChambeau was in contention at both, and that's the three most popular players on the planet dominating headlines.
And it's not as if Schauffele has given us much to talk about this season. Well, that's not exactly true, as there was the rib injury that kept him out of action for two months. And he does still have that ongoing streak of made cuts, which currently stands at 65.
But as far as performance is concerned, the 31-year-old certainly hasn't played his best golf in 2025, recording just one top-10 finish in nine starts, that being a tie for eighth at The Masters.
So, perhaps not getting much love going into Oakmont is warranted at this point.
That said, however, those fading Schauffele this week may want to rethink that strategy. Because in addition to his impressive streak of made cuts, he also has an impressive U.S. Open streak going, one during which he's finished in the top 15 in eight straight years. And of those eight top-15s, seven are also top-10s, and three are top-5s.
Year | Course | Finish |
|---|---|---|
2017 | Erin Hills | T5 |
2018 | Shinnecock Hills | T6 |
2019 | Pebble Beach | T3 |
2020 | Winged Foot | 5 |
2021 | Torrey Pines | T7 |
2022 | The Country Club | T14 |
2023 | Los Angeles Country Club | T10 |
2024 | Pinehurst No. 2 | T7 |
Since World War II, only two golfers have had longer stretches, those being Jack Nicklaus with 12 (1971-1982) and Sam Snead with nine (1947-1955). So, that's obviously some pretty elite company he's already in.
Oh, by the way, we failed to mention that those eight appearances listed above account for the gold medalist's entire career at America's national championship, which obviously means he's never finished outside the top 15 at the U.S. Open.
Again, Xander Schauffele hasn't played his best golf this year. But are you really ready to count him out at Oakmont?