(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Xander Schauffele Faces FedExCup Pressure at BMW Championship
Baltimore, MD – Xander Schauffele is navigating his toughest season on the PGA TOUR, starting the BMW Championship 43rd in the FedExCup standings. With only one start left to reach the TOUR Championship, Schauffele must finish at least solo 21st to keep his hopes alive, though a stronger finish may be needed due to the elevated point totals at Caves Valley Golf Club.
Schauffele, the world No. 3 and two-time major winner in 2024, has struggled this season with a mix of injuries and inconsistent play. “Even my rookie year, I was in a better position,” he said. “This is kind of it for myself and my team, and just got to try to leave it all out there.”
If he misses the cut, Schauffele will skip the TOUR Championship for the first time in his career, leaving East Lake without one of its best performers. Schauffele won at East Lake in 2017 and has never finished worse than eighth at the season-ending event.
Season Struggles
This year, Schauffele has only three top-10 finishes and nine top-25s, compared with 15 top-10s and 20 top-25s in 2024. While his iron play remains strong, he has fallen off the tee and on the greens—two areas that previously defined his game. Currently, he ranks outside the top 100 in driving and top 120 in putting.
“There’s a few sort of outlier events where I drove it horrendously and putted horrendously and chipped horrendously,” Schauffele said. “It’s a work in progress… trying to find a cue or a feel.” He has been working closely with coach Chris Como, who helped him add distance before his breakthrough 2024 season.
Despite the setbacks, Schauffele has had notable moments this year, tying for eighth at the Masters and finishing T7-T8 at the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open Championship. “For a player of my caliber, it’s about giving myself chances to win,” he said.
Playoff Opportunity
With the BMW Championship serving as the final step to the TOUR Championship, Schauffele can approach this week with less pressure than some of his rivals. His major championship wins have secured his status for years to come, allowing him to take risks and aim for the FedExCup without the weight of career uncertainty.
At 31, Schauffele is determined to bounce back and prove that his struggles this season are only temporary.
