While the Baycurrent Classic is far from being the most prestigious event on the PGA Tour calendar, the tournament recently provided a reminder of the quality of Xander Schauffele as he secured his first victory of 2025.

It has been a frustrating year for Xander Schauffele. He missed much of the early part of the season with injury. And it took him some time to return to form. He failed to make the Tour Championship for the first time as a professional.

It seemed that he was set to be Scottie Scheffler‘s closest challenger in 2025. But that rivalry is yet to really take off.

Xander Schauffele reflects on Scottie Scheffler’s success in 2024

Many players said they would rather have Schauffele’s 2024 than Scheffler’s season. The world number one did win The Masters and an Olympic gold medal. In fact, he ended the year with nine victories worldwide.

And it seems that Schauffele felt that Scheffler’s success took the shine off his two major wins. Speaking on the Earn Your Edge podcast, Schauffele admitted to having something of a chip on his shoulder while he was out injured because he still feels that he needs to cut the gap to his countryman.

“On reflection, I’m in a weird place. I’ve been angry, I’ve been sad. I’ve been excited to play, and sad again because I couldn’t, trying to come back and then being halted. In terms of the overall reflection, I feel pretty similar. I feel the game’s been taken away from me. It sounds dramatic, but I’ve always been able to practice and play and do what I’ve always wanted to do my entire life and this has been the first time I’ve ever been halted,” he said.

“I love all the small things about golf. I love hitting balls. I love putting. I love chipping. I love playing with my friends. I love seeing the ball fly, all that stuff I still love. A deep appreciation has dawned over me recently, knowing everything’s going to be fine and knowing I’ll be able to compete again.

“Guys like Scottie Scheffler, I have achieved a lot, but in a sick way, he’s made it not very special in my competitive mind because I’m still so far away from him. Then you tie in confidence is this little plant. My plant’s got absolutely stomped out. I’m trying to train my brain right now to think why not come back and play really well? Just because everyone talked about rust.”

Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler’s strokes gained data in 2024

Scheffler was unquestionably the best player on the PGA Tour in 2024. He dominated almost every category from tee to green. His only weakness was that Scheffler was an average putter.

Schauffele did not find himself outside the top 50 in a single strokes gained category last year.

Obviously, Scheffler’s putting has become elite this season. And that will be a concern for all of his peers heading into 2026.

But Schauffele left the Ryder Cup with a respectable record. No player on the American side scored more points at Bethpage.

And having won in Japan this month, things appear to be on the rise again for Schauffele.