FORT WORTH, Texas – Xander Schauffele entered the Charles Schwab Challenge this week after playing the tournament three times, including eight rounds, two missed injuries and only one score in the 60s.
He will do it in Sunday’s final round with a one-shot lead in 13-under par after shooting two 66 and 65 this week in the Colonial.
What causes it?
“Playing makes me more comfortable, of course, so that helps,” Shauffele said on Saturday. “But I think in previous years it was much windier and I didn’t play green that well. That’s just a comfort factor. My caddy got better, too, in terms of choosing the path and doing the work. So, I think collectively we have done a better job of preparing for this week. “
Schauffele, who has four wins in the PGA Tour career, must stop several big names on Sunday if he will win the fifth.
Xander SchauffeleGetty Images
The ruling US Open champion, Gary Woodland, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa and Branden Grace are all one-shot back in the 12-under position.
Harold Varner III and Daniel Berger were two shots back on 11-under.
And ranked 1 Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Rose, Abraham Ancer and Corey Connors were only three back in 10-under.
That’s a lot of firepower that bit into Schauffele’s heel.
Asked whether, with a solid field, this felt like a big championship, Schauffele said, “I think the fans are making majors, too, so nothing coming out here is rather difficult. But you see the names on the leaderboards, that’s kind of what I expect, only everyone who comes out of quarantine wants to play, and I think the next three weeks will really be displayed. ’
He said Sunday, without fans, might feel like an amateur show.
“I think it will feel like amateur golf or junior golf where we all want to win,” Schauffele said. “We all want to compete, and we are all very competitive. When we were young and playing in college or during the summer on an amateur schedule, it was quiet. There are no fans outside, and we all seem to face each other, and everyone wants it the same as the next person.
“I kind of feel maybe like that [Sunday] where down stretches if you are in the hunt, it will be very calm and everyone will take care of their own business. ’
