Latest news with #Schauffele
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Xander Schauffele Settles Driver Test Debate with 'Cork Bat' Analogy
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. World No. 3 Xander Schauffele was one of the players who opened up about the whole driver debate at the PGA Championship. He continued that conversation this week at The Memorial Tournament, a PGA Tour Signature Event. At Quail Hollow, news leaked that the USGA deemed Rory McIlroy's driver illegal, and he had to change it ahead of the tournament. After that went public, he did not speak with the media for the rest of the week, but Schauffele did plenty of talking. The two-time major winner went to bat for McIlroy at Quail Hollow. He also hinted that McIlroy was not the only player with a 'hot' driver that week. World No. 1 and eventual PGA Championship winner, Scottie Scheffler, also had to switch his big stick before the second major. "It really is normal. I didn't even understand sort of the public's negative opinion on it," Schauffele said from Muirfield Village, host venue of The Memorial. "We don't know when the line — we have no clue. Unless our driver physically cracks and you start hitting these knuckle balls off the tee that disperse everywhere, then you know your driver's broken." DUBLIN, OHIO - MAY 28: Xander Schauffele of the United States plays his shot from the 15th tee during the Golden Bear Pro-Am prior to the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday 2025 at Muirfield Village... DUBLIN, OHIO - MAY 28: Xander Schauffele of the United States plays his shot from the 15th tee during the Golden Bear Pro-Am prior to the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday 2025 at Muirfield Village Golf Club on May 28, 2025 in Dublin, Ohio. More Photo by"It's not like a cork bat," he explained. "That's just not how golf works. You either swing and hit it hard or you don't." It is not like players can make a driver hot like people can do with baseball bats. Corked bats are modified bats filled with illegal material to help the ball travel farther. These bats are controversial because they can give players an advantage, and Major League Baseball banned them. Schauffele explained that it isn't nearly as easy to identify in golf. "When a guy has a cork bat in baseball, it's, like, a big no-no," Schauffele noted. "You know what I mean? And in golf, too, when a driver creeps, you shouldn't be able to play it. But at the same time, it's not quite the same thing." "The trickiest part is that no driver and no shaft is the same," Schauffele noted. "They can have the same writing and logos on them, but the makeup of each head and shaft is slightly different. No club is the same. As soon as you make us change, there's a bit of a grace period where you have to get used to it." In typical Schauffele fashion, the 31-year-old was pretty blunt about the whole topic. "I thought it was kind of crazy when you test thirty guys, and the other 120 get to roam around - it's kind of weird." Xander Schauffele weighs in on driver testing ahead of the Memorial Tournament ⛳️ #PGATour 📺 — Niall McGrath (@niallmcgrath4) May 29, 2025 "Do I think any guy is out here is like, 'Oh, I have a hot driver. Like, I'm going to hit it a mile this week?' No. This is my driver that I've been hitting for a year, and I love it, and no, I don't want to switch. I think that's more the attitude. And yeah, I thought it was crazy when you test 30 guys, and there are 120 who get to roam around. It's weird." Schauffele knows it can be challenging to make the change during a major week, and his comments show that the heat McIlroy received was unwarranted. At the same time, there is not a lot of information out there on illegal drivers. Many speculated about it and continue to, but the 9-time PGA Tour winner set the record straight. More Golf: Jack Nicklaus Picks Side on PGA Tour Players Controversy Skipping Media
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Xander Schauffele apologises to Scottie Scheffler after confessing to news leak
Scottie Scheffler was left red-faced when Xander Schauffele inadvertently revealed the world No. 1's failed driver test after his PGA Championship win earlier this month Two-time major winner Xander Schauffele had to apologise to Scottie Scheffler after he accidentally let slip the results of the world No. 1's failed driver test. The Californian golfer later explained that his blunder was due to being impressed by Scheffler's performance. Driver testing has been a hot topic in the sport of golf recently, especially after it was revealed that Scheffler and Rory McIlroy both had their equipment fail checks at the PGA Championship. Scheffler went on to claim his third major title at Quail Hollow, regardless, finishing five strokes ahead of his rivals. It was this impressive feat that led Schauffele to inadvertently share the news with the media. While McIlroy, aged 36, seemed to struggle with his backup driver - a fact already known to the press - Schauffele unintentionally became the source of the revelation about Scheffler's equipment change. "I was the one who leaked it, basically, about Scott's," Schauffele admitted sheepishly following the PGA Championship. "To me, it was more of like, a credit to how good he was, y'know? "I didn't realize - I apologized. I was like: 'Sorry, dude. I wasn't trying to have that be a question in your media after you just won another major.' It was more about, like, this guy just used his backup and absolutely rinsed the field again." Schauffele, who tied for 28th at Quail Hollow, was evidently in awe of his Ryder Cup team-mate. In expressing his admiration, he inadvertently spilt the beans on details that are typically kept under wraps, particularly concerning another player. The American's sense of guilt was somewhat alleviated by Scheffler, who revealed that his team anticipated his driver might soon fail if it were tested. Thirty drivers are tested each week to ensure they comply with regulations. A more worn club can offer an advantage by providing extra springiness upon impact. The testing procedure has come under intense scrutiny following recent controversies. Scheffler advocates for testing the entire field instead of just a random selection of thirty. "I would test everyone and make sure I would get everyone's serial number with a driver. [It's] pretty easy," Scheffler stated before the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village. This sentiment echoes Schauffele's from 2019 when his driver was among those that failed testing and had to be replaced. "I would gladly give up my driver if it's not conforming. But there's still 130 other players in the field that potentially have a nonconforming driver as well," he said. "Had a word with [the R&A], and hopefully they take my comments seriously and my concern just because it wasn't my plan to show up Monday morning of a major or Tuesday—sorry, it was Tuesday evening where I was doing driver testing here. It's not really what players want to be doing. "What's the fair thing to do? Just test the whole field. It's plain and simple. When I talked to them, they didn't really know how to ... you can't really answer that question. You test everyone, it's simple as that."
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Why did Xander Schauffele feel the need to apologize to Scottie Scheffler at the PGA Championship?
Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele smile on the fifth hole during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) Xander Schauffele recently opened up about why he felt compelled to apologize to fellow golfer and close friend Scottie Scheffler during the PGA Championship, and it all comes down to an incident involving Scheffler's golf club and a failed equipment test. The apology at Quail Hollow Schauffele and Scheffler, both highly ranked American golfers, played together at this year's PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. While they're fierce competitors on the course, they share a strong friendship off it. But despite the camaraderie, Schauffele found himself in an awkward spot. He revealed that he was the one who unintentionally let it slip that Scheffler's driver had failed a conformity test during the tournament , a detail that became a headline story. 'I was the one who leaked it, basically, about Scott's,' Schauffele told reporters. 'To me, it was more of like, a credit to how good he was, ya know? I didn't realize , I apologized. I was like, 'Sorry, dude. I wasn't trying to have that be a question in your media after you just won another major.'' Schauffele emphasized he meant it as praise , Scheffler used a backup driver and still managed to dominate the field, securing his third career major. 'It was more about, like, this guy just used his backup and absolutely rinsed the field again.' What was the driver controversy? Golf clubs, especially drivers, are tested to make sure they're not giving players an unfair advantage. The USGA pendulum test checks how long the ball stays in contact with the clubface. If the face is too flexible, it can act like a trampoline, launching the ball farther than allowed , which breaks the rules. This became a hot topic at the PGA Championship when reports surfaced that Rory McIlroy's driver also failed the test, forcing him to switch before the tournament began. Scheffler's driver failed later in the week, but he still won using his alternate club. Schauffele's own experience and insight Schauffele recalled his own frustration when his driver failed a similar test at the 2019 British Open at Royal Portrush. 'I kind of lit a fire and threw everyone under the bus,' he said. 'I remember there was a line, and I was like, 'I'm stepping across it.'' Now older and wiser, Schauffele understands the system better and doesn't see the issue as some scandalous shortcut. 'It's not like a corked bat,' he explained. 'That's just not how golf works. You either swing it hard and hit it hard or you don't.' He also highlighted that drivers gradually become more flexible over time as players use them , a phenomenon known as 'CT creep.' Drivers don't suddenly become illegal, they just wear down from repeated use until they eventually fail the test. 'We hit our drivers a lot, so they creep and then they go over a line. We don't know the line , we have no clue. Unless our driver physically cracks and you start hitting these knuckle balls off the tee that disperse everywhere; then you know your driver's broken.' What the tour and players are saying The USGA, which conducts the equipment checks, defended its testing process. CEO Mike Whan stated that 90% of drivers tested are actually used during the round, and serial numbers are tracked to avoid players swapping in 'safer' backups just to pass. Still, concerns remain. Lucas Glover recently suggested on his radio show that some pros might submit their backups for testing to avoid risking a failure with their preferred club, though this has not been confirmed. Collin Morikawa, another PGA Tour star, said that while players joke about dodging the tests, he doesn't believe anyone actually does it. 'People joke about doing it, but I don't think anyone actually does,' Morikawa said. As for the failed drivers, he offered a simple analogy: the testing results work like a traffic light. 'Green is good, yellow passes , but be cautious, and red means it's illegal.' 'We want our drivers to be in yellow,' he added. 'It's passing, but it's like you want it to be fast, you don't want it to be slow.' The bigger impact: Performance and trust Swapping drivers isn't just about rules, it can disrupt a player's rhythm. Even if the backup club has the same specs, it may feel slightly different, especially to professionals who know every nuance of their gear. 'They can have all the same writing and logos on them, but the makeup of each head and shaft is slightly different,' Schauffele explained. 'We have our trusty club, and then you take it out and switch it … there's a little bit of a grace period where you have to get used to it.' That might help explain Rory McIlroy's struggles at Quail Hollow , widely considered one of the best drivers in the game, he suddenly found himself missing fairways and barely making the cut, finishing tied for 47th. Looking ahead Scottie Scheffler has been in dominant form, continuing to win even under equipment challenges, a testament to both his consistency and adaptability. Meanwhile, Xander Schauffele is working to recapture his peak, aiming to rejoin the top contenders like Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. With the season heating up and the U.S. Open on the horizon, Schauffele will be eager to sharpen his game and re-establish himself as a constant presence at the top of leaderboards. His recent reflections show a player focused not just on performance, but also on accountability and growth, both on and off the course. 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Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Xander Schauffele reveals key Open preparation plan with Renaissance Club lucky omen
Open champion Xander Schauffele confirme return to the Renaissance Champion Golfer Xander Schauffele will boost his Claret Jug defence with a key outing at the Genesis Scottish Open. The 2022 winner at the Renaissance is heading back and will be joined by European Ryder Cup heroes Ludvig Aberg and Sepp Straka in the East Lothian cracker. Rory McIlroy and title-holding home hero Bob MacIntyre headline the £8 million July showpiece with the field given another massive boost by the Schauffele's booking. The trio are all aiming to win the Rolex Series event for a second time having collected the trophy once each in the past three years. Schauffele claimed two Major victories in 2024 at the PGA Championship and The Open, lifting the Claret Jug at Royal Troon the week after teeing it up at the Scottish Open. Now it's Renaissance again for the pre-Portrush charge and the 2020 Olympic Gold Medal winner said: 'It was awesome to win in 2022 and I always look forward to playing in front of the Scottish fans. "It's become an important stop on my schedule, especially last year, teeing it up at the Renaissance Club before going on to win my second Major the next week.' Reigning Genesis Invitational champion Aberg and Straka, a four-time PGA Tour winner, who has claimed two of those titles this season, made their Ryder Cup debuts in Europe's victory over the United States in Rome in 2023 and will both are hunting a maiden win in Scotland. The Swede, who finished tied fourth at the Genesis Scottish Open last season, said: 'I had a good run and it will be cool to come back this summer as The Genesis Invitational winner.' Austrian Straka added: 'It's always fun to play in the home of golf and my game is in a great place this season so I would love to bring that momentum over to Scotland in July.' Major winners Justin Rose, Matt Fitzpatrick, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Max Homa and Byeong Hun An are also confirmed with more global stars to be announced.
North Wales Chronicle
19-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Xander Schauffele ends US PGA title defence complaining about conditions
Schauffele and 54-hole leader Scottie Scheffler were the two highest-profile players to speak out about the decision not to allow preferred lies in Thursday's first round, despite torrential rain disrupting practice earlier in the week. Both men blamed 'mud balls' for hooking their second shots to the 16th into the water in round one and the same hole cost Schauffele another six on Sunday, although this time his ire was directed at the 17th instead. Xander Schauffele trying to continue the longest active streak of major top-20s (12). Next highest is — Underdog Golf (@UnderdogGolf) May 18, 2025 'After kind of a decent round going, the goal was to try to backdoor a top 10,' said the Open champion, who had covered his first 15 holes in five under par, including a chip-in eagle on the eighth. 'I got greedy on 16, that one was on me. No mud on that ball unfortunately. Hit that in the water (from a fairway bunker). 'Then 17 is a pretty ridiculous set-up today. That will be one to keep an eye on. You have, I don't know, like a 10-foot window to land it to keep it somewhere like pin high.' After dropping a shot on the 17th Schauffele did at least birdie the 18th to complete a 68, his only sub-par round of the week. 'Yeah, I'd like to keep it going,' Schauffele said. 'If we had four more days stacked up right now, I feel like I'd have a pretty good chance. 'Just kind of was in better form, and then I had a few things go awry in my swing and made my approach play pretty bad. Just kind of lost control of the golf ball there midweek, unfortunately. 'Just didn't have enough to score well, but I feel like I'm playing a lot better than what I'm doing. So just got to hang tough.' Scheffler took a three-shot lead over Sweden's Alex Noren into the final round and after both men bogeyed the opening hole, Scheffler bounced back with a birdie on the second to extend his advantage. Masters champion Rory McIlroy had earlier completed a final round of 72 to finish three over par and declined to speak to the media for the fourth day in succession.
