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Xander Schauffele's story with golf is one of the most complex and involves several twists and turns along the way but one thing is certain: it probably wouldn't have existed without his father's influence.
Schauffele's father was a promising German decathlete until he was hit by a car on his way to training. Although he survived the accident, he would never be able to enjoy sports in the same way.
Stefan was in and out of the hospital for years, enduring surgeries, and during the rehabilitation process one of his doctors recommended he take up golf as a way to keep active and improve his mobility.
He joined the school in San Diego after moving to the United States in 1988 and spent two years as an assistant pro at Princeville's Makai Course in Kauai, Hawaii before the family returned to Southern California.
As soon as Xander could walk, he was hitting balls with plastic bats all over the house.
When he progressed to the real clubs at the age of nine, his father would only take him to the course as long as he could carry his bag through all 18 holes.
At Christmas, he surprised Xander with a membership to Bernardo Heights, where he would go with two other friends to play as often as possible.
“I told him you can go play every day,” said Stefan. “And he did. He caught the bug.”
Two of his great-grandfathers played professional football (soccer) in Europe and it looks like young Xander will follow suit.
That was until an argument with a coach pushed him towards golf.
“He would have been a great footballer,” said Stefan. “You have hips and thighs.”
That physique proved ideal for golf and his upbringing in Germany gave him a sense of discipline and an appreciation for hard work.
“He was brought up a certain way,” said Stefan
“There is a certain German element there. There is a lot of self-control.”
Being a big winner twice
Schauffele showed obvious talent right away and worked hard on his game during the early days of his career and was soon offered big things.
Without a PGA TOUR winning streak, the first Major title wouldn't come until the 2024 season. He made a major breakthrough by capturing the PGA Championship at Valhalla before adding a second Major in quick succession by winning the Open Championship at Royal Troon.
For Schauffele winning the Open was an honor but also part of the process.
He thought at the time: “I feel honored. Hearing your name called 'Open Champion' right after that is something I've dreamed of for a very long time. I feel speechless just looking at the claret jug and when I'm sitting alone in my room, I just stare at it and look at it, and try to take it all in. It's all part of the process and it's amazing. I feel like I'm here with a jug of claret.
“At the end of the day, it's just a result, and I really believe that. Sometimes things go your way, and sometimes they don't. In the last round at Troon, I felt like I was in more control. I was about to grab the lead, and there was no way I was going to stop. I knew that and I really wanted to make sure I did that.
“Most of the time, after all those tough losses in the past or those times when I let myself slip and dream early after nine, I've been able to control myself and make sure that doesn't happen.
“It was a difficult week; it was very difficult. I think winning the PGA Championship helped me a lot. I had a certain sense of calm. It was very helpful against what was one of the toughest defenders I've ever played in a tournament. It's amazing to win two Majors in one year. It took me forever to win just one, and to have two now is something else.”
READ MORE: Schauffele's Open victory continues impressive run of Vokey design wedges
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