Xander Schauffele confident for Masters after injury setback

Xander Schauffele: From the Pain of Injury to the Pursuit of a Grand Slam

After capturing two of golf’s biggest prizes during a breakout 2024 season, Xander Schauffele found himself starting the new year not on the course, but on the sidelines.

An intercostal strain and cartilage tear in his ribcage—sustained during the offseason—forced the world’s then-No. 2 player to hit pause. He initially tried to push through the pain at the Sentry Invitational but quickly realized that rest and rehab were the only way forward.

“I’ve never dealt with an injury before, so I’ve never really been sidelined,” Schauffele said this week from Augusta National. “Watching everyone else compete while I sat at home… it was hard, but honestly, it lit a fire in me.”

In the meantime, life slowed down. Schauffele spent more time with his wife and dogs, caught up on TV shows, and—unsurprisingly—kept a close eye on the golf world. From a distance, he watched his peers chase trophies he wasn’t able to contend for

hile he worked to stay patient through recovery, Rory McIlroy surged ahead in the rankings, collecting wins at Pebble Beach and the Players Championship, reclaiming the No. 2 spot

“Rory’s playing unbelievable golf right now,” Schauffele admitted. “But the silver lining is that I know I can play at that level too.”

His return came at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and over the four events leading up to the Masters, he made every cut—most notably tying for 12th at the Valspar Invitational. That result, he says, came from letting go of control and allowing his swing to flow more freely.

“I was gripping the wheel too tight,” he said. “Getting back to trusting myself has been a process.”

Mentally, Schauffele has experienced what he calls a “grieving process” — cycling through frustration, disappointment, anger, and eventually, acceptance. But now, he’s focused on what’s ahead, including chasing a third major title.

“I feel like the same guy,” he said. “But I’ve proven to myself that if I’m in contention at a major, I know I can finish the job. I’ve done it.

From being one of the best players never to win a major, to capturing two in the span of a month, Schauffele has flipped the narrative. Now, the idea of completing a career Grand Slam feels not only possible — but within reach. And Augusta, where he’s finished in the top 10 four times since 2019, feels like the perfect place to keep the dream alive.

“Believe it or not, winning the Slam has always been a thought—even before I had a major,” Schauffele said. “It’s pretty cool to be closer to that dream at 31, rather than still chasing it at 36.”