Xander Schauffele will be keen to avoid a serious injury like Jordan Spieth (Image: Getty)
Xander Schauffele is back on the links after a two-month hiatus due to injury, yet the double major champion confessed he’s keen to avoid a path similar to ‘s. The 31-year-old last played in January at The Sentry and then in the first-ever TGL match, which turned out to be his final appearance before this week, despite experiencing side pain.
Schauffele, who kept up his fitness regime while his trainer was away, likened himself to a “toddler” for not having someone to guide him. He had to skip two tournaments at Torrey Pines in San Diego following a diagnosis of an intercostal strain, a tear in the rib cartilage, which was made worse by his actions. “It was a kind of perfect storm; I was left on my own, and apparently, I’m still a toddler,” Schauffele said on Wednesday.
“I kept training and golfing and training and golfing, and I’m used to having someone either hold my hand or do something as simple as soft tissue. I didn’t get any help and I think that is sort of what put my back against the wall.” The injury reserved the two-time major winner to the sidelines for two months, but he has now returned to compete at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, which starts on Thursday.
Although he admits to feeling rusty after his long break, Schauffele’s priority was to come back in full health, particularly after witnessing the injury woes of fellow golfers and Spieth, who both had to undergo surgery for their respective ailments, reports .
“I feel like I’ve been pretty conservative with everything. Hopefully that pays off,” said the Californian pro golfer, hinting at a cautious approach to his recovery. “If things go south, I won’t be scared to back off, just because it’s, you know, what’s down the road is more important.”
Spieth, who made a comeback in January, spent months out of the game due to left wrist surgery last August after a nerve injury. The 2015 Masters winner sustained an initial wrist injury in May 2023 but faced setbacks before eventually opting for surgery. Emerging again on the greens at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in January, Spieth disclosed he had “jammed” his wrist during the event. Nonetheless, he has since recovered and participated in three more tournaments.
Scottie Scheffler admitted his happiness in seeing Xander Schauffele return to golf (Image: Getty)
Scheffler also returned from injury, having undergone hand surgery following a peculiar accident involving a wine glass while cooking in December. The two-time Masters champion he was glad to see friend and fellow major winner Schauffele returning to action this week.
“I think it’s challenging any time you’re coming off an injury, that first time you step back out inside the ropes, it’s different playing competition tournament golf, and there’s definitely challenges to it and it takes a little bit of time to get used to. I’m a big routine guy and so being injured and being out of my routine was definitely an unusual thing. Xander’s a guy that’s fairly routine as well so I’m sure there will be some adjustments, but it’s definitely good to have him back out playing.”