“I just kept telling myself I need to earn this” – Xander Schauffele details why he ‘didn't want to go to into a playoff’ with Bryson DeChambeau
Following his win at the PGA Championship 2024, Xander Schauffele revealed that he aimed to get to 22-under. He added that he didn't want to take the game into a playoff, especially against Bryson DeChambeau, who is known for his long drives.
On Sunday, May 19, Xander Schauffele ended his title drought by shooting a 6-under 65 on the final day at Valhalla. He aggregated at 21-under to beat DeChambeau by one stroke and win his first-ever Major championship.
During the winner's press conference, Schauffele revealed that he had discussed aiming to reach 22-under for the week.
"I told Austin when we turned, if I could get to 22, he said. "I think someone is going to have to beat me. I really did not want to go into a playoff with Bryson. Going up 18 with his length, it's not something that I was going to have a whole lot of fun with."
Xander Schauffele added that he was able to remain clutch on the last few holes. He said he was continuously telling himself that he needed to earn the title and be in the moment.
Explaining why he didn't want to face DeChambeau in the extra hole, the eight-time PGA Tour winner reasoned that the 18th hole would be an advantage for someone who could hit further.
"It's just 18," he explained. "It's like a driver, pitching wedge for him, or like a 9-iron maybe? I don't even know. If he tomahawks a draw off the water it's literally going to be like a driver, 9-iron maybe -- you can ask him -- 8-iron. It's just one of those things, if you run that stat in your head, who has the advantage, it's the guy who hits it further.
"If we're playing like a long par-3 or a short par-4 or something like that, maybe I'd feel like I have an edge, but I kind of calculate those things in my head and I knew it was important to take advantage of that," he added.
Did Xander Schauffele gain ranking after winning the PGA Championship?
Xander Schauffele surged to World No. 2 after winning the PGA Championship 2024. He moved one spot to displace Rory McIlroy to get to his highest-ever position in the OWGR.
Despite finishing T8 at the Valhalla Golf Club, Scottie Scheffler is moved to the top and has a significant distance between him and Schauffele. McIlroy, who finished T12, is ranked third, followed by Wyndham Clark who missed the cut. Viktor Hovland moved to fifth after finishing third, while Jon Rahm slipped to seventh after missing the weekend. Ludvig Aberg remained unmoved at sixth despite missing the cut at the PGA Championship.
The PGA Tour will next head to the Colonial Golf Course in Fort Worth, Texas, for the Charles Schwab Challenge. The event will take place from May 23 to May 26.