Xander Schauffele remains in contention at the 126th U.S. Open after a steady performance at Shinnecock Hills, following a rib injury that disrupted his 2025 season.
What happened to Xander Schauffele?
The two-time major champion suffered an acute intercostal micro tear in a rib during the offseason, forcing him away from competitive golf for several weeks.
He opened with a 67 and followed it with an even-par round, positioning himself near the top of the leaderboard heading into the weekend.
The injury came on the heels of the most successful season of Schauffele’s career, after winning both the PGA Championship and The Open Championship in 2024.
Xander Schauffele's road to recovery
Schauffele admitted that the extended absence from golf was difficult both physically and mentally, making him appreciate the game and its impact on his mental well-being.
He explained that while golf can be frustrating, being away from competition gave him a renewed appreciation for life on the PGA Tour.
The American missed playing golf and appreciated being able to play for such a long time, but his wife Maya Lowe was sick of him being at home too long.
Impact on Xander Schauffele's personal life
Schauffele revealed that the recovery period had an impact on life at home with his wife and their kid, giving him easier distractions and more tasks to do.
He leaned on his support team throughout the process, trying to be as positive as possible and relying on them to make him healthy.
The time away from competition ultimately reinforced his belief in the value of playing professionally.
Xander Schauffele's return to contention
Now healthy again, Schauffele finds himself back in familiar territory at the U.S. Open, consistently one of his strongest events.
Following his second-round 66, Schauffele spoke about the patience required to succeed at golf’s toughest major, saying it’s just a lot of patience and good golf shots.
He acknowledged that the recovery process lasted much longer than many realized, probably around a year, with lingering discomfort remaining even after medical scans showed positive results.
Schauffele's latest performance at Shinnecock Hills continued his trend of strong showings at the U.S. Open, a testament to his perseverance and dedication to the sport.