This time closing yr, Xander Schauffele was once on a tear.
He received the Travelers Championship at the PGA Tour. The following week, he received the JP McManus Pro-Am. He beat Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler by way of 5 pictures and the newly minted United States Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick by way of 17.
When Schauffele confirmed up on the Renaissance Club for the Genesis Scottish Open, his cast play persisted. He received the match by way of a shot, for his fourth victory in one year.
“It was probably one of the better months I’ve had in my career,” stated Schauffele, who went to San Diego State University and exudes a Southern California calm.
He returns to Scotland this yr somewhat cooler, however nonetheless ranked 6th on the planet. He hasn’t received in a yr, however he has persisted to play strongly.
The following interview has been edited and condensed.
You have been on a roll closing yr. What was once that like?
I performed the Travelers, then JP McManus Pro-Am in between, the place I performed actually smartly, after which I received the Scottish. I used to be in a actually just right state of mind. I used to be hitting numerous pictures I sought after to hit, hitting numerous putts the best way I sought after to. I felt like I used to be doing my best possible, and that was once just right sufficient to win. It was once that calm feeling connected with actually just right golfing.
How do you translate profitable at River Highlands, one of the crucial PGA Tour’s stadium lessons, at which numerous earth was once moved to create the direction, to the Renaissance Club, the place the architect Tom Doak took a extra minimalist method to the land and the terrain?
At River Highlands, you cross from vegetables which might be slower and feature much more destroy to vegetables which might be sooner and extra nuanced. With Renaissance, it is a little bit extra comfortable coming in. It’s no longer as punishing as River Highlands [home to the Travelers] with all its contours. The most effective factor that will translate is self belief.
Let’s communicate scoring prerequisites. How do you regulate from going from plus 2 at the United States Open, (when minus 6 received it), to minus 19 on the Travelers and minus 7 on the Scottish Open?
It’s certainly one thing you keep in mind earlier than the week begins when you are entering other vegetables. It’s the mentality. At River Highlands, when you’re making six or seven pars in a row, you must keep affected person as a result of you recognize different avid gamers are reeling off birdies. You have to overcome the direction each and every week. That’s one thing that comes into play. You have to stick affected person. It does not at all times cross your manner. Overseas you on occasion really feel unhealthy making par. But then you recognize par goes to win.
You shot a record-tying 62 within the opening spherical of this yr’s US Open at Los Angeles Country Club and a 70 the following day. Every golfer has carried out the an identical of that. What was once it like for you?
A 62 at that membership certainly wasn’t one thing you expected. It was once a setup factor. Through two rounds there have been numerous low rankings. Ricky [Fowler] and I’m doing it early made folks really feel it was once in the market. The maximum spectacular spherical was once Tommy Fleetwood taking pictures 63 on Sunday. I used to be off to a heck of a get started, however no spherical was once the similar. I did not regulate accordingly. I were given off to a quick get started, however then I began leaking oil.
What’s your plan to shield on the Scottish Open this yr?
I’m shut to a couple just right shape. I’ve been scratching on the floor. When I come to a website the place I play smartly, I actually do not attempt to assume an excessive amount of about whether or not I received closing yr or no longer. I’m excited to be again right here. I usually love to play on arduous golfing lessons. But I’ve labored to make myself a believer that I may just play smartly on any assets.