Xander Schauffele’s 2025 season is teetering on the edge — a stunning turnaround from just a year ago when he was hoisting two major championship trophies.
The world No. 3 is clinging to his FedExCup Playoffs hopes at the halfway point of the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis. Only the top 50 in the standings after this week will advance to the BMW Championship, and through 36 holes, Schauffele sits T48 at even par in the 69-man field. The current math has him projected at 48th in the FedExCup — just two spots from seeing his season end.
A Slow Start With a Steep Climb
Schauffele’s campaign was derailed early by a rib injury that kept him out from mid-January until early March. By the time he returned at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, he was buried at No. 141 in the standings. Missing five events he normally plays — including two signature, no-cut events where points are at a premium — left him with little margin for error.
In 13 starts this season, he’s posted just three top-10 finishes, all coming in big events — the Masters, Genesis Scottish Open, and British Open.
Encouragingly, two of those have been in his last two starts, giving him momentum entering the playoffs. But that cushion has all but evaporated.
“In order for me to have a good chance to get to East Lake, I’ve got to play BMW, obviously,” Schauffele said after Friday’s round. “I’ve got 36 holes and … just have to do better.”
Not Alone On the Bubble
Schauffele isn’t the only big name flirting with an early exit. Matt Fitzpatrick is projected at No. 43, Wyndham Clark at 46, and Jordan Spieth is hanging on at No. 50 — the final spot. Rickie Fowler and Tony Finau are currently outside looking in.
For Schauffele, the path is clear: climb the leaderboard this weekend at TPC Southwind and secure a spot in Baltimore. The nine-time PGA Tour winner has never missed the Tour Championship in his career — but if he can’t make up ground fast, that streak is in real danger.
