“I Just Try to Have as Much Fun as Possible” Xander Schauffele Reflects on Successful 2019 Season

Xander Schauffele is getting ready for his senior season. So to speak.

"I think this is my senior year on tour, I guess. After this I don't know what I'd call it," the Scripps Ranch grad joked.

If he can close the deal at the first major of the year, that would make it a Masters program. 

Schauffele has become a regular near the top of the leaderboard at the biggest events on tour. In 2019 he finished tied for second behind Tiger Woods at Augusta; took third at the U.S. Open; and had another second place finish at the Tour Championship.

All that on top of two early season wins at the WGC-HSBC Champions and Sentry Tournament of Champions.

"It was a success," Schauffele said about the eventful year. 

The former Aztec said he felt like a kid in the midst of Tiger's memorable victory. At one point Schauffele was leading at Augusta in the final round. An errant tee shot on the 15th hole kept him from taking advantage of the par five, allowing Woods to take control.

"I didn't really give myself a chance to win the tournament on 16, 17 and 18 which is what I'm upset about personally. But it was cool to be in that environment, and to learn about myself in a really high-stress moment."

He's had numerous opportunities to learn from those experiences throughout his brief career. It began with a fifth place finish at the U.S. Open as a rookie in 2017, the same year he won the Tour Championship. He took sixth at the U.S. Open in 2018, the same year he finished second at The Open Championship. Then came another series of strong performances at big-time events in 2019.

"I just love major championships, they're just tougher, people panic more, and people are more anxious and the vibe on the grounds is different," Xander explained. "I don't know, I just think I try to have as much fun as possible and when I'm on those sites it sort of happens."

After enjoying some downtime in his hometown, Schauffele begins the new season with events in Japan and China in late October. 

The highlight of the end of 2019 will come in Australia, where he'll compete for the United States in his first Presidents Cup.