‘It’s Just Thursday’: Xander Schauffele Wants Everyone to Chill Out About His Historic 62

LOS ANGELES — Rickie Fowler held the solo possession of a coveted U.S. Open record for a mere 20 minutes before fellow Californian Xander Schauffele charged into the clubhouse with another 8-under 62. 

“It’s not really what you expect playing a U.S. Open,” Schauffele said. “But monkey see, monkey do. Was just chasing Rickie up the leaderboard. Glad he was just in front of me.” 

Unlike Fowler’s round, Schauffele’s 62 was bogey-free. The 29-year-old carded eight birdies, five on the front, and three on the back (he started on No. 10). He gained 3.81 shots on the field on his approach shots, ranking first among the morning wave.

Despite Schauffele’s score breaking the U.S. Open record of 63 (first set by Johnny Miller in 1973 and matched five times since) and being just the second 62 recorded in 127 years of U.S. Open history, the San Diego native wasn’t convinced that his round was worth the hysteria it was causing around LACC. 

Schauffele repeated the same sentiment throughout his post-round interviews: “It’s only Thursday." 

“Well, that’s when you’re interviewing my caddie, he’s not used to that kind of stuff, so I was just hearing some weird things. I was like, dude, it’s just Thursday, my man,” Schauffele said. 

The historic significance of the round seemed to have little impact on the seven-time PGA Tour winner who is looking for his first major championship title this week in Los Angeles. 

“It’s literally just the first day of the tournament. It’s a good start,” he continued. 

It’s not just the timing of Schauffele’s round that inspired his mission to quell the media on Thursday afternoon. Although the U.S. Open scoring record was broken not once, but twice during the championship’s opening day, Schauffele asserted confidently that ensuing rounds at the George Thomas design won’t be quite as easy. 

“I think it’s going to be quite the viewing party, I guess, once the greens firm, in that sort of back sliver,” Schauffele said. 

On Thursday morning LACC received a sprinkle of light rain and overcast skies have prevented the course from drying out and showing its true teeth. But according to Schauffele, such conditions won’t last for long. 

“You just wait until this place firms up," he said. "It’s going to be nasty.” 

Schauffele joked quite a bit about the hype surrounding his 62, but he was serious when evaluating the positives from the day. The round is great start to Schauffele’s bid for his first major on familiar territory. 

“Well, just an all-around performance, honestly,” Schauffele said. “Got lucky, made a really long putt. Made a long one on 1. Hit some really nice iron shots in from distance.”