Xander Schauffele clinched his first title in 14 months at the Baycurrent Classic in Japan. The victory marked his 10th PGA Tour title and came after a final-round 64 with eight birdies, securing a one-shot lead over Max Greyserman on 19-under at Yokohama Country Club. The tournament was Schauffele’s first since the Ryder Cup defeat by Europe at Bethpage Black in New York, where he struggled with a rib injury at the beginning of the year, disrupting the momentum from his 2024 Open victory at Royal Troon and his maiden major win at the PGA Championship.
The 31-year-old golfer expressed his relief at the win, stating, “It feels good, it’s nice to know I’ve still got it. It was a rough year but my team dragged me through it.” Schauffele highlighted the significance of winning in Japan, where his mother grew up and his grandparents still reside. Michael Thorbjornsen finished third, three strokes behind Schauffele, after briefly tying for the lead with an eagle on the fourth hole. Collin Morikawa, Schauffele’s Ryder Cup teammate, finished tied for 14th on 10 under, while Matt McCarty delivered an impressive performance with 12 birdies in the final round, narrowly missing a sub-60 round due to a bogey on the 18th hole.
Moving past the struggles of the past year, Schauffele’s win at the Baycurrent Classic was a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite facing a challenging recovery from a rib injury and a disappointing Ryder Cup defeat, the American golfer showcased his skills with a stellar performance that secured his first title in over a year. The victory not only marked Schauffele’s 10th PGA Tour title but also held a special significance for him, as he triumphed in Japan, a place with deep personal connections for him. With his sights set on regaining his stride and building on this success, Schauffele’s win at the Baycurrent Classic serves as a turning point in his journey back to the top of the golfing world.
