Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Xander Schauffele

Discover the career path of Xander Schauffele, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Xander Schauffele is an accomplished American professional golfer on the PGA Tour. His notable achievements include winning the 2017 Tour Championship and securing the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics men's individual golf event. Adding to his list of accomplishments, Schauffele secured two major championships in 2024: the PGA Championship and the Open Championship.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1904: First American since 1904 to win an Olympic gold medal in golf

In August, Schauffele recorded a final-round of 67 to win the Olympic gold medal; he made an up-and-down for par on the final hole to beat Slovakian Rory Sabbatini by one shot. With the accomplishment, Schauffele became the first American since 1904 to win an Olympic gold medal in golf.

1980: Third Player with 25+ Birdies in Masters Since 1980

In April, Xander Schauffele tied for second in the Masters Tournament, one stroke behind champion Tiger Woods. It was his third top-five in eight starts at major championships. He led the field with 25 birdies, becoming the third player since 1980 to have 25 or more birdies in a single Masters, joining Phil Mickelson (25 in 2001) and Jordan Spieth (28 in 2015).

2001: Phil Mickelson: 25 Birdies in Masters Tournament in 2001

Phil Mickelson had 25 Birdies in the Masters Tournament in 2001, becoming the second player since 1980 to have 25 or more birdies in a single Masters, joining Jordan Spieth (28 in 2015).

2011: California State High School Championship

In 2011, Schauffele was the individual winner of the California State High School Championship while playing for Scripps Ranch High School.

2014: California State Amateur Championship win and Western Amateur final

In 2014, Schauffele defeated Beau Hossler to win the California State Amateur Championship at La Costa Resort and Spa. Later that summer, he lost to Hossler in the final match of the Western Amateur at Chicago's Beverly Country Club.

June 2015: Turned professional in June 2015

In June 2015, Xander Schauffele turned professional and subsequently entered the 2015 Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament in the fall, eventually earning his Web.com Tour card.

2015: Turned Professional in 2015

In 2015, Xander Schauffele turned professional, and was ranked in the top 10 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

2015: Jordan Spieth: 28 Birdies in Masters Tournament in 2015

Jordan Spieth had 28 Birdies in the Masters Tournament in 2015, becoming the third player since 1980 to have 25 or more birdies in a single Masters, joining Phil Mickelson (25 in 2001).

2016: World Golf Ranking

During 2017, Schauffele rose to 32nd in the Official World Golf Ranking, up 267 spots from his 2016 year-end position of 299.

2016: Full season on Web.com Tour

In 2016, Schauffele played a full season on the Web.com Tour.

June 2017: U.S. Open Debut

In June 2017, at the U.S. Open held at Erin Hills, Schauffele recorded a bogey-free 6-under-par 66, becoming the first player to achieve such a round in their first U.S. Open appearance. He finished in a tie for fifth place.

2017: Earned PGA Tour card through Web.com Tour Finals

In 2017, Schauffele earned a PGA Tour card through the Web.com Tour Finals after finishing 15th on the Finals money list.

2017: Tour Championship win

In 2017, Xander Schauffele won the Tour Championship, marking a significant milestone in his early career.

2017: Failed to make the Tour Championship

Prior to the win, Schauffele had two top-10 finishes in the 2025 season, but failed to make the Tour Championship for the first time since 2017.

2017: Defend Tour Championship title in 2017

Schauffele was able to defend his 2017 Tour Championship title.

October 2018: WGC-HSBC Champions Victory

In October 2018, Schauffele won the WGC-HSBC Champions event in Shanghai, China, defeating Tony Finau in a playoff.

2018: Equipment Manufacturer Change and Notable Finishes in 2018

At the beginning of 2018, Xander Schauffele switched equipment manufacturers, signing an endorsement deal with Callaway, having previously been sponsored by TaylorMade. Also in 2018, he finished T2 at the Players Championship and tied for second at The Open Championship.

2018: Exemption into the 2018 U.S. Open

Due to his performance at the 2017 U.S. Open, he earned an exemption into the 2018 championship.

2018: FedEx Cup Playoffs performance in 2018

In 2018, Schauffele entered the FedEx Cup Playoffs in 28th position. He improved his standing to 18th after a strong showing at the BMW Championship, allowing him to defend his 2017 Tour Championship title. He finished T7 at the 2018 Tour Championship and placed 15th in the season-long FedEx Cup.

2018: 2018 European Tour and Race to Dubai

In 2018, Schauffele joined the European Tour as an associate member. His win at the WGC-HSBC Champions elevated him to 4th position in the European Tour's Order of Merit, known as the European Tour Race to Dubai. He finished the season in 4th place, participating in the bonus pool.

2018: Brooks Koepka wins the U.S Open and PGA Championship

Schauffele became the first golfer to win multiple majors in the same year since Brooks Koepka won the 2018 U.S. Open and PGA Championship.

January 2019: Sentry Tournament of Champions Win

In January 2019, Xander Schauffele won the Sentry Tournament of Champions at The Plantation Course in Kapalua Resort, Hawaii, shooting a course record equalling 11-under-par 62 in the final round.

July 2019: The Open Championship Driver Failure

At The Open Championship in July 2019, Xander Schauffele became the first player to have their driver fail The R&A's conformity test.

August 2019: 4th in Wyndham Rewards Top 10

In early August 2019, Schauffele placed 4th in the inaugural 2019 Wyndham Rewards Top 10. He ultimately finished in second place at the Tour Championship, taking maximum world ranking points having returned the lowest aggregate score.

December 2019: Presidents Cup

In December 2019, Schauffele played on the U.S. team at the 2019 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia, where the U.S. team won. Schauffele went 3–2–0 and won his Sunday singles match.

2020: Gold Medal at the Tokyo Olympics

In 2020, Xander Schauffele achieved a significant victory by winning the gold medal at the men's individual golf event during the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

2021: 2021 Masters Tournament

At the 16th tee of the final round of the 2021 Masters Tournament, Schauffele was in second place, two strokes behind the leader. However, at that hole, he shot a triple bogey, and ultimately finished third.

2021: Zurich Classic, Travelers Championship, J. P. McManus Pro-Am, and Genesis Scottish Open Wins

In 2021, Schauffele secured multiple victories, including the Zurich Classic of New Orleans (team event), the Travelers Championship, the J. P. McManus Pro-Am, and the Genesis Scottish Open.

2021: Olympic Gold Medal and Ryder Cup

In August 2021, Schauffele won the Olympic gold medal in golf. In September, he played on the winning U.S. team in the 2021 Ryder Cup.

2022: Presidents Cup

In 2022, Schauffele qualified for the U.S. team at the Presidents Cup, contributing to the event with three wins and one loss.

September 2023: Ryder Cup 2023

In September 2023, Schauffele played on the U.S. team in the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia, Rome, Italy. The European team won 16.5–11.5 and Schauffele went 1–3–0, including a win in his Sunday singles match against Nicolai Højgaard.

November 2023: Started working with Chris Como

In November 2023, Schauffele began working with Chris Como, who previously coached Tiger Woods and Bryson DeChambeau.

May 2024: PGA Championship Win

In May 2024, Xander Schauffele secured his first major championship by winning the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club with a record-low score of 21 under par.

2024: Coaching Change with Chris Como for 2024

Having only previously worked with his dad, Stefan, from the very beginning, Xander made a coaching change and started working with Chris Como for the 2024 season.