"He’s a good guy, my boy" – Xander Schauffele’s father lauds son’s PGA Championship victory while living in a shipping container in Hawaii
Xander Schauffele's father, Stefan, praised his son's fabulous victory at the 2024 PGA Championship at the Valhalla Golf Course. Stefan was not there with Xander to celebrate the win.
Stefan Schauffele was approximately 4,400 miles away in a tiny shipping container in Hawaii, seeking rejuvenation. Stefan spoke about his son's win and praised him for his hard work in a phone interview with Golf.com. He was quoted as saying (via Golf.com):
“If Xander wins more frequently, maybe that idea that he’s too stoic will go away. And when he jokes around with the press maybe that comes more to the foreground and people actually see him for who he is. I’d like the world to know him as he truly is. He’s a good guy, my boy."
Sitting miles away, Stefan Schauffele watched his son win the PGA Championship. In the interview, Stefan revealed that when his son dropped the final putt for a birdie on the 18th hole, he had tears in his eyes.
“I just started crying. Finally, it happened. Finally, that happened. I was just observing until he won - and then I let the emotions go. At that moment I was helpless. Give me the Kleenex box," he said.
Xander Schauffele won the PGA Championship after registering an incredible one-stroke victory over Bryson DeChambeau. Viktor Hovland, who was also in contention to win his maiden Major last week, settled for third place followed by Collin Morikawa and Thomas Detry, who tied for fourth place.
Xander Schauffele's father quashes LIV Golf speculation
After PGA Tour players win a Major and gain a long-term exemption to compete in future Majors, rumors often circulate that they might switch to the Saudi-backed circuit. Last year, Masters winner Jon Rahm inked a contract with LIV Golf.
However, Xander Schauffele's father dismissed such rumors and clearly stated that his son is not one to chase money. Stefan Schauffele said (via Golf.com):
“The opposite would probably be closer to the truth. No chance. Xander is not chasing the money. Xander is about legacy. And as my opinion — just as his father — there was never a chance."
"What we told LIV in Saudi Arabia, with Xander beside me, was that if there is no path back to the PGA Tour and if there is no chance at World Ranking points we do not have anything to talk about. Even if you throw hundreds of millions of dollars at him. That word still stands. I am not called The Ogre without reason. I keep my word," he added.
Xander Schauffele set a record for playing the lowest round at Majors. He shot 62 in the opening round of the 2024 PGA Championship followed by another 68. The American shot 68 in the third round followed by 65 in the final round. Schauffele won the tournament by one stroke.
Since turning pro in 2015, Schauffele has won 11 professional events, including 8 PGA Tour events. He also won the gold medal in individual golf events at the 2020 Summer Olympics.