Xander Schauffele was asked about the possibility of a PGA Tour-LIV Golf international series during the fall as merger talks continue, with the world No. 2 saying “it sounds terrible”
Xander Schauffele is not keen to play lots of tournaments this Fall (
Image: Getty)
Golf world No. 2 Xander Schauffele has revealed he would not be on board with a PGA Tour-LIV Golf international series during the fall as merger talks rumble on.
Most of the top players tend to take time off in the fall – despite the season being packed full of events – to prepare for the season opener in January in Hawaii.
Speaking at the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club, Schauffele said: “Right now, it sounds terrible,” He added: “My brother’s bachelor party next week sounds terrible, too. I’m in a place where I’m trying to get over this finish line and play some really good golf coming in so I can enjoy myself.”
“I haven’t really put a whole lot of thought about how I’d feel trying to tee up in a series overseas in November or December, or October even. I’m going to go overseas to Japan to play the Zozo [in late October],” added Schauffele, who has ties to the country due to his mum growing up there.
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He finished: “That’s the only event I’m going to play this offseason, or I guess this fall season. … I’m excited for my trip to Japan. I always am. It’s a warm and fuzzy place for me. But to tack on multiple events would probably be tough.”
PGA star Scottie Scheffler is another big name who has struggled with tiredness this year. Scheffler’s exhaustion came after a shock arrest in May at the PGA Championship. As he was driving to Valhalla Golf Course, the world number one and Olympic champion was arrested and charged with second-degree assault of a police officer, a class-C felony, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving, and disregarding traffic signals from an officer directing traffic – all of which were later dropped.
Despite the events in the lead up to the tournament, Scheffler still managed a respectable six-under-par 65, saying: “I put my head down on the scorer’s table and I think I about fell asleep,” adding “I’m fairly tired, definitely a lot more tired than I’ve been finishing some other tournaments. Yesterday obviously was quite frustrating and a bit of a different day, but… was fortunate to be out here competing.”
Xander Schauffele is the No. 2 golfer in the world behind Scottie Scheffler ( Getty)
A few months later, Scheffler was able to recover and bag an Olympic gold medal in Paris, which added to his impressive trophy cabinet for 2024. Although Scheffler has had one of the best seasons in decades on the PGA Tour, which saw him win six times, win a second Masters and win Olympic gold, he is still frustrated when his year is compared to rival Xander Schauffele’s.
“I think sometimes I get a touch frustrated with the questions people ask,” he admitted. “Like, oh, whose year would you rather have? Would you rather have Xander’s year or Scottie’s year?
“It’s like, can’t we just enjoy some great golf that’s been played this year? You had a guy win multiple major championships and you had a season like mine where I was able to win a good amount of times. I think it’s one of those things where we should just sit back and enjoy it. I’m just grateful for the year that I’ve had and I’m grateful for Xander’s year.”
