In a surprising revelation, world No. 2 golfer Xander Schauffele disclosed that he has been sidelined for most of the 2025 PGA Tour season thus far due to a lingering rib injury. The reigning PGA Championship and Open Championship title holder told Golfweek that he is cautiously eyeing a return to action at the prestigious Arnold Palmer Invitational in March.
A Frustrating Offseason Setback
Coming off a banner 2024 campaign that saw him capture his first two major championships, Schauffele had high hopes for continuing his ascent to the top of the golf world in 2025. However, those aspirations were abruptly put on hold when he sustained a rib cage injury during his offseason training.
Determined to defend his Sentry Tournament of Champions title to kick off the new year, the 31-year-old attempted to play through the discomfort in Hawaii. But a lackluster 30th place finish made it clear that his body was not ready for the rigors of tournament golf. Schauffele had no choice but to shut it down and focus on recovery.
“I thought I’d be fine and kept going and played through it at Sentry and at the first TGL match,” Schauffele reflected. “I was pretty much tapped. I knew it was getting significantly worse and needed time off.”
Marquee Events Missed
The extended layoff has forced one of the game’s brightest stars to miss signature tournaments that are staples on his calendar. Schauffele withdrew from the Farmers Insurance Open and The American Express before also having to skip the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational.
His absence has also been felt in the innovative, primetime TGL events. The New York Golf Club, with Schauffele as one of their franchise players, has had to compete without one of their anchors since opening night.
Prioritizing Long-Term Health
“I need a little more TLC, especially at 31 versus 25 and make sure everything is oiled correctly.”
– Xander Schauffele on his cautious approach to recovery
Admitting that trying to rush back too soon could lead to re-injury and an even longer absence, Schauffele is wisely taking a patient approach with his rehab and return to play. While he has resumed hitting balls, he does not yet feel comfortable enough to withstand the demands of a 72-hole tournament.
The five-time PGA Tour winner acknowledged the counsel he has received from fellow pros about not coming back prematurely. Stories of players aggravating injuries and missing extended stretches of 6-12 weeks have resonated with Schauffele. “Once I’m back, I just want to go,” he stated firmly. “I’ve been instructed to be patient and make sure I’m 100 percent.”
Targeting Bay Hill for Anticipated Comeback
With the Arnold Palmer Invitational just a few weeks away, Schauffele has circled the March 6-9 event at Bay Hill Club & Lodge as his intended return to PGA Tour competition. The tournament honoring the late King would be an ideal stage to relaunch his 2025 campaign.
Not only is Palmer’s event one of the most prestigious on the PGA Tour schedule, but it also serves as a key tune-up for the Players Championship and Masters Tournament looming ahead in March and April respectively. For a talent like Schauffele with designs on adding to his major haul, playing his way back into form before those championships is crucial.
The thick rough of the Arnold Palmer Invitational does present a daunting test for any golfer, let alone one coming back from a rib injury. But Schauffele is hopeful that a few more weeks of purposeful practice and rehab will have him prepared to tackle Bay Hill at full strength. “With really thick rough, I could potentially reinjure myself,” he noted. “I don’t want to deal with a stop and go.”
An Eagerly Awaited Return
Golf fans will certainly be watching with eager anticipation to see if one of the sport’s most electrifying players can seamlessly pick up where he left off last year. When firing on all cylinders, Schauffele has firmly established himself as a consistent contender at the game’s biggest events.
His sublime shotmaking skills and steely competitiveness have drawn comparisons to his mentor Tiger Woods. Schauffele even joined Tiger as one of only six players in the last 40 years to capture the PGA and Open in the same season. At age 31, his potential to rack up several more major triumphs seems limitless.
But first, the California native must prove that his rib injury is fully behind him. The Arnold Palmer Invitational will be a strenuous initial test for the fan favorite, especially if he exhibits any lingering discomfort or rust from the extended competitive layoff.
Should Schauffele announce his return with a vintage performance at Arnie’s Place, the rest of the PGA Tour will be put on notice that the world No. 2 is back and hungry for more hardware in 2025. With his major pedigree, supreme talent, and warrior mentality, betting against a healthy Xander Schauffele returning to dominance would be a risky proposition.
The golf world waits with bated breath to welcome back one of its brightest superstars at Bay Hill. The next chapter of Xander Schauffele’s compelling career is poised to be written soon. The question is, after an unexpected injury detour, will it be a triumphant one?
