Xander Schaufelle Confident In Competing For Title At 2025 Masters Following Injury Recovery

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Xander Schauffele is optimistic about his performance as he gears up for the 2025 Masters. Recently recovered from an injury, he believes he's ready to compete at the highest level. After clinching victories at the PGA Championship and The Open in 2024, Schauffele suffered a rib cartilage tear and an intercostal strain. During his recovery, Rory McIlroy surpassed him to become No.2 in the World Golf Rankings.

Schauffele returned to competitive golf at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March, finishing T40. He has since participated in three more events leading up to the Masters. The 31-year-old noted that playing more frequently post-recovery has allowed him to swing with greater ease. "It's been a process to get back to that," he stated, reflecting on his journey back to form.

A victory at Augusta would mark Schauffele's third career major win, bringing him closer to a career Grand Slam. Meanwhile, McIlroy needs only a Masters win to join an elite group of six golfers who have completed the sweep. Schauffele remarked, "Winning the Grand Slam was always a thought before I won any of them." He added that being closer to this dream at 31 is much cooler than achieving it later in life.

Schauffele has consistently performed well at the Masters, securing four top-10 finishes since 2019. In 2024, he was 32 under par across all four majors, outperforming other players by 15 strokes who made the cut in all tournaments. Now fit again, he's strategising on how best to secure the coveted green jacket.

Reflecting on his previous successes, Schauffele feels better equipped to handle pressure at Augusta National this year. "I think the big difference will be when I get in those spots," he said. His aim is to give himself another chance down the stretch and feels confident about his chances if he can position himself well during major tournaments.

"There's so many guys that have played at a really high level," Schauffele commented on ESPN regarding Rory McIlroy's impressive form this year. Despite challenges, Schauffele remains confident about competing with top players and drawing from past achievements for confidence growth.

Schauffele acknowledges that while failures may occur, his ability to manage them has improved significantly since winning major titles. "If I can get myself in a good spot," he expressed optimism about handling such situations better now than before his victories.