Q&A: U.S. Ryder Cup Member Xander Schauffele on Preparing for Marco Simone, First-Tee Vibes and the Team's Group Chat
Xander Schauffele hasn’t picked up a golf club in more than two weeks. Since his runner-up finish to Viktor Hovland at the Tour Championship, Schauffele has indulged in a much-needed hiatus from his practice regimen. But now, the seven-time PGA Tour winner is ready to get back to work.
“I have two weeks to get ready,” the world No. 6 says, speaking from an Adidas Golf photoshoot Tuesday in Florida.
On Sunday, Sep. 24, Schauffele will hop on a charter flight to Rome with the 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup team, where he’ll do his part to help the 12-man squad break a 30-year winless drought on European soil.
Xander Schauffele is playing in his second Ryder Cup.
Orlando Ramirez/USA TODAY Sports
Schauffele played a significant role in the Americans' record-breaking 19-9 victory over the European Team at Whistling Straits, boasting a 3-0-1 record. Sports Illustrated caught up with the California native ahead of his second Ryder Cup to talk about the pressure of the first tee, the vibes in the U.S. group chat, 2021 team room memories and more.
Sports Illustrated: If you could fast-forward to the first tee at Marco Simone on Friday, what do you think you’ll be feeling?
Xander Schauffele: All kinds of things. Excited, nervous, anxious. I’ll try to hit it really hard. That’s what I did at Whistling Straits and it seemed to go O.K. for me. It always helps having a partner that’s ready to go.
SI: A lot of players describe the first tee shot at a Ryder Cup as one of the most nerve-wracking shots in golf. What is it actually like?
XS: It’s just a different environment. We’re not used to people chanting, people slamming the bleachers, stomping. It’s so loud. We’re really enclosed in this little arena. You don’t realize what it does to your body and your brain. It just fires you up. There’s no way to stay calm with a bunch of people yelling and super loud noise. You know what’s on the line. It’s interesting to hear everyone say it—and I’ve said it myself—it is one of the most nerve-wracking shots. At the end of the day, it’s not a big deal. But at that moment, it feels like a very big deal.
SI: How can you prepare for that?
XS: I don’t even try. I just look forward to it. You get excited about it, and you embrace it. You’ve seen guys get the crowd pumped up while they hit. It’s really up to you, and whatever makes you tick.
SI: Any particularly memorable shouts from the opposing crowd?
XS: I’m looking forward to this one. I’ve only been overseas competing in the Presidents Cup in Australia. The boys there had some funny chants, including our last names. They serenaded us on the first tee. That definitely makes it enjoyable.
SI: You’ve played in Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups and you won the Olympic Gold Medal. What is so special about representing your country on the course?
XS: It’s an honor wearing the red, white and blue. I think anyone that’s competing for the country is very proud. If you weren’t, then you wouldn’t do it. I take a lot of pride in competing in these spots. I’ve been fortunate to have the success that I’ve had.
SI: We know you missed the scouting trip over the weekend at Marco Simone, but what was the chatter like in the group chat about the visit?
XS: A lot of good intel from the boys. Group chat was firing up for sure. Some very interesting things about the rough. It looks brutal. There’s like four to six different types of grass in it. Depending on where your ball ends up—there’s just no real way to practice for it. The fairways are this tight paspalum grass, as we’re told. I’m sure the Europeans tried to trick it up a little bit for our boys that went to go practice. I’m sure it’ll look different when we’re there come tournament time.
SI: What’s your assessment of the U.S. team room vibe so far?
XS: It’s funny, everyone knows each other. I think everyone’s getting along great. I’ve already had a lot of really good chuckles. Even though I wasn’t there, the group chat was going off. They’re funny, and everyone is meshing really well, poking fun at each other. One of my favorite things to experience is the team room. Whether it’s really serious or not, it’s something that individual pro golfers don’t get to experience.
SI: Do you have a favorite memory from the team room?
XS: We’ve had very relaxed times where everyone was in there lounging in their pajamas, and then we’ve had serious times. We’ve come off a losing session and it’s pretty quiet, so I can’t pinpoint my favorite. A losing session isn’t ideal, but even after a winning session, we’re not in there celebrating because we know what’s still at stake. The tension is always different.
Most of the guys are good at separating things when they get back with their wives and significant others. But at the clubhouse and the course, there’s not much play. It’s pretty serious. So I enjoy both sides of that and sharing it with these guys. When you’re coming off a rest and when someone loses a match, you’re fired up to go out there and take care of your teammate and do your part. It’s a cool feeling.
SI: What do you think it’s going to take to end the U.S. team’s 30-year winless drought on European soil?
XS: Nothing special. It may sound weird, but we didn’t do anything special at Whistling Straits. All the boys who were there are aware of that, and we have quite a few repeat guys on the team. We’ll stick behind our stats, our team leaders and our captains and go do our thing. We’re not really tainted by that sort of talk. People told me we haven’t won since before I was born. I think that’s great, because I don’t really care. I don’t think anyone really cares. No one has talked about it, because of course, no one likes talking about losing. It isn’t really something that’s been brought up a lot to us. I’m not on social media a crazy amount, so I haven’t really seen it. But none of us are talking about anything of that nature. We’re looking forward to the week and bringing that thing back.
SI: You have a strong history playing team events alongside Patrick Cantlay (6-3-0 in Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups). What makes you guys click as partners?
XS: Well, we got off to a good start. We won a few matches, we’re good buddies and our games mesh, especially for foursomes. I would be shocked if we’re broken up for that, and we’ve also had a pretty good display of best ball. People were saying we couldn’t do best ball and then we went out and shot 59 and then 60 at the Zurich Classic.
SI: Last but not least … you’re going to Italy. What’s your favorite Italian dish?
XS: I’ve actually never been to Italy, which I’m embarrassed to say. But I love Italian food. Definitely some sort of pasta. I’m sure there’ll be some new ones I try when I’m over there.