In Orlando, Florida, Xander Schauffele, the reigning PGA and British Open champion, made his return to the golf course after a two-month hiatus. As he participated in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, Schauffele set modest goals and managed to achieve one by ensuring he made the cut for further rounds. His remarkable streak of 58 consecutive cuts, the longest on the PGA Tour in two decades, remains undisturbed.
Schauffele’s journey was more challenging than anticipated. After starting with a 77, he found himself 3 under after 10 holes before encountering difficulties. Describing the 11th hole as akin to being “hit in the face with a frying pan,” and referring to the par-5 12th as an “absolute disaster,” Schauffele made double bogeys on both. Despite these setbacks, he secured birdies on a course not typically generous with them. A wedge shot to 8 feet on the 13th, a 30-foot birdie putt on the 14th, and a precise shot from a fairway bunker to reach pin-high on the par-5 16th helped him recover. A final-hole bogey resulted in a round of 71, placing him 12 shots behind the 36-hole leader Shane Lowry, yet ensuring he made the cut.
Schauffele emphasized his perseverance, saying, “I try really hard to not quit.” Even facing consecutive double bogeys, he pushed himself to dig deep and stay focused, seeing it as valuable practice despite the pressure. This was his first tournament since the Sentry at Kapalua, following time off to recuperate from an intercostal strain and a minor rib cartilage tear. Though not aiming for an instant return to top form, he was determined not to be eliminated on Friday.
His caddie, Austin Kaiser, lightheartedly suggested it would take just four more years to match Tiger Woods’ record of 142 consecutive cuts from 1998 to 2005. Schauffele’s current streak is impressive, ranking as the sixth-longest in PGA Tour history, trailing legends like Woods, Byron Nelson, Jack Nicklaus, Hale Irwin, and Dow Finsterwald.
Acknowledging the streak, Schauffele remarked, “Austin and I are proud of our cut streak, no doubt.” While their focus is not solely on this record, the pursuit of winning often ensures a high volume of cuts. On occasion, the significance of the streak crosses his mind. Last summer, Schauffele faced a similar challenge at the Scottish Open, sitting two shots outside the cut line before making a series of birdies to stay in the competition. Kaiser had reminded him of the streak then, instilling confidence in his game, which culminated in his victory at the British Open the following week.
Reflecting on past experiences, Schauffele noted his growth in handling pressure, saying last summer, “I would have missed this cut a couple of years ago.” This mentality was evident at Bay Hill, as he overcame a misstep leading to a water hazard on the 11th, resulting in a double bogey. Positioned well next to the 12th green, he misjudged a chip, but was able to refocus and respond effectively.
“I had to dig deep,” Schauffele reiterated. Observing fellow golfers Shane Lowry or Rory McIlroy birdie ahead of him, he motivated himself with, “‘If they can do it, so can I.’” This determination fueled his resilience throughout the round.
